+ the 27th and 32nd post-exposure days. During the period in which individuals were developing symptoms of the respiratory infeetion, the loukocyte count of some diverged tram the popula- tion trend. Fifty-two per cent of the leukocyte counts were observed to increase to higher levels, the fneresase Qemye duc primarily to granulocytes (wee chapter 4). Sinee the ime rease in the mean granuioeyte count of the entire population occurred about the time the epidemic of URI developed, ue seemed pertinent to determine whether In individual iastances the merease was sponlancous oF Wak In some wily related to (he presence of respiratory titeetion. ‘The rehition ship between the observed leukocyte increase and the presence or absence of upper respleatory symnplonis tho the individuals exposed to radiation sugested that the (wo ttleets were unrelated, Vible pol IMSEASES THAT APPEARED DUHING OUSERK VV PEON OP THE RONGILAD VND ALLENGINAR GROUPS Namber of Disease Number ot Tadtviduads Disease lerde vicdurctl ss a) Puruncle (botkst Gum Ab ocess Cholecystitis I 1 Cunnfihiamation ol gl bladder: ! ! ; Bronchitis Apyetous ulcer of tongue (canker sore) 4 ' Spondylolisthesis tnatformation of I Tincse Cringeworm) I " Mittelschimer 2 l q Impetigo j Tooth extractlous | Gastroenteritts Ontermenstruatl pam Generoahiaasd) urliewvia I (hives) hervthemia multiiorme ' I cred rash Migraise heacdiche vertebral I , 2 to Ontlamation of stomach | and intestines) | Upper resprratocy infection. } | \ Follicular tonsiliitis 47 t -t Of the 64 individuals from Rongelap, 27 had no respiratory infection and of these 13 (48 per cent) without URI showed a rise in leukocytes; 37 had the infection, and of these, 24 (53 per cont) showed a rise; 7 of these 24 showed a rise three or more days before symptonis ap- peared. Of the 18 from Ailinginae, 8 had no respiratory infection and 3 (37 per cent) of these showed a rise; 10 had the infection, of these, 3 (33 per cent) showed a rise in count. It is also of interest that not only the irradiated individuals developed the respiratory infection but in addition the medical personnel involved in their care and study also developed equally severe respiratory infections. The respiratory infections consisted of moderate malaise, sore throat with prominent lymphoid follicles, pharyngitis, moderate fever on the first day, and a purulent (pus) nasal and tracheal discharge for 10 days. 2.5 COMPARISON WITH THE UTIRIK GROUP OF DISEASES SEEN IN THE RONGELAP AND AILINGINAE GROUPS DURING THE PERIODOF OBSERVATION The diseases that were seen in the Rongelap and Atlinginae groups during the period of observation are listed in Table 2.1. None of these appeared to be related to the effects of irradiation, either directly or as a result of the hematologic disturbances. For comparison, the diseases that were seen in the Utirtk group during the period of observation are listed in Table 2.2. The high incidence of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stotnach and intestines) in both groups was probably due to the Marshallese keeping perishable foods unrefrigerated for long periods, and was not seen after this practice was stopped. It would appear that a higher per- centage of the Rongelap-Ailinginae group developed upper respiratory infections compared to the Utirik group. However, all of the Rongelap-Ailinginae group were questioned concerning even mild symptoms of URI, whereas only those of the Ltirik group with severe symptoms of 29 wee an