PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS unfolded, daily sick call and care of the radiation lesions were carried out by Doctor Shulman along lines decided in general conference of the entire group. When epilation and skin lesions appeared, Commander R. A. Conard, MC, USN, was assigned primaryresponsibility for documentation of the onset, incidence, and detailed description of the skin lesions. During the field phase, Lt. Robert Sharp, MSC, USN, was given the responsibility for decontamination andcollection of data from all sources on the radiation intensities of the contaminated atolls and the calculation of probable doses of radiation received. Paul K. Schork. HMC, USN,was in charge of the Hematology Laboratory. The services of Doctor S. H. Cohn were requested, and made available by USNRDLIto undertake field study of the degree of internal contamination, in addition to the studies that were to be performed on urine samples returned to the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, New York Operations Office of the Atomic Energy Commission, and the USNRDL. The authors wish to express their gratitude and indebtedness in particular to Doctor John C. Bugher, then Director of the Division of Biology and Medicine, Atomic Energy Commission, who came to the forward area and was always available for counsel. In addition Captain Van Tipton, MC, USN, Director of Atomic Defense Division of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy; Commander Harry Etter, MC, USN; Captain W.E. Kellum, MC, USN; and Captain T. L. Willmon, Commanding and Executive Officers respectively of the Naval Medical Research Insti- tute: Captain R. A. Hinners, USN, Director USNRDIL, and Captain A. R. Behnke, MC, USN, Associate Director NRDL; gave unlimited support and reduced administrative procedures to a bare minimum, thus making it possible for the unit to be assembled and underway ina matter of hours. Upon arrival at Kwajalein, Rear Admiral R.S. Clarke, USN, Commanding Officer United States Naval Station, Kwajalein, supported the project withall of the facilities at his disposal. As a result. a laboratory and clinic was estab- Vv lished and operating within 24 hours after ar- rival of the medical team. In addition, we wish to acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Col. C. 5. Maupin, MC, USA, Field Command Armed Forces Special Weapons Project; Captain H. H. Haight, MC, USN, Division of Military Application, Atomic Energy Commission; Dr. Gordon Dunning, Division of Biology and Medicine, Atomic Energy Commission; and Dr. H. Scoville of ArmedForces Special Weapons Project who in addition to their primary duties, collected extensive datain the field on the radiation intensities of the atolls and kindly furnished this material tothe project personnel. Drs. T. Lu. Shipman, Thomas White,* and Payne Harris of the Los AlamosScientific Laboratory kindly furnished very valuable data on urinary excretion of radionuclides. The early studies of the Los Alamos group in particular contributed significantly to the information on the degree and nature of internal deposition of short lived radionuclides. Dr. G. V. LeRoy, Associate Dean, School of Biological Sciences, University of Chicago, participated in the early phase of the study as a consultant to the Medical Group. The authors of Chapter I are particularly indebted to Dr. C.S. Cook and the Nuclear Radia- tion Branch at the Navy Radiological Defense Laboratory for information on energy distri- bution of the gammaradiation. Data on radiochemical and radioactive decay rates were supplied by Dr. C. F. Miller and the Chemical Technology Division of USNRDL and Dr. R. W. Spense of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. In collecting data on the skin lesions, the help of Billiet Edmond, Marshallese school teacher for the Rongelap group in interpretation was invaluable. Miss Patricia Roan of USNRDI prepared the histologic preparations of the skin biopsies and Mr. William Murray and George Needum of USNRDL and C. P. A. Strome, HMC, USN, Naval Medical Research Institute performed the excellent color photography. In preparation of the material and writing of Chapter V, the authors are indebted to Miss C. * Deceased.