dry.
Cases of secondary infection were all probably results of scratch-
ing, and were easily cleared up by antibiotics.
Several weeks following
the appearance of the lesions, the affected areas became slightly indurated, very deeply pigmented and with some fissuring of the areas but no
frank ulceration.
About twenty-five to thirty days after exposure the
areas presented a superficial slough that resembled the peeling of a
second degree simburn.
Under the slough the skin was parchment-like in
appearance and was depigmented.
The foot lesions came last and displayed the most severe symptoms.
The lesions developed blebs from the original papules which were filled
with a serous fluid.
After the blebs had drained, the lesions healed
with sloughing and depigmentation, as described above.
sions were
All of these le-
on the dorsum of the feet and between the toes.
Weight
bearing on the feet was painful and the individuals characteristically
walked on their heels.
.
Epilation of the scalp first appeared on about the thirteenth or
fourteenth day and was patchy in distribution.
in the same areas as the scalp lesions.
more severely in children.
Epilation appeared earlier and
A few cases developed into practically com-
plete epilation of the head.
weeks.
In most cases it appeared
This tendency continued for three to four
No regrowth of hair was noticed in the first two months after the
exposure.
There was no evidence of hair loss except on the head.
Statistics based on Rongelap group incidence figures — H plus thir
ty days -- were:
Epi la tion
AFWL/HO
e
e
e
.
°
e
e
°
e
e
46%
/ OL.