Table 4.7
ATLINGINAR GROUP MEAN BLOOD COUNTS AE PIMESOR PEAK DI PRR SSTOON
Platelets «103
W.B.C.
Case No,
(Average from
Dis 39 ta ot)
(Average trom
Diy 26 to 30)
Neutrophiles
Lymphocytes
tAveraye from
Davy WO to Sb
Average from
Day 39 toad
Age Less Than 5
8
9780
4
ABD
dy
VS70
44
O20
210
us
SOTO
GL7O
$U50
240
3700
Shoo
RI
woo
240
Sao
21
.
215
3470
Tah
3620
ARGO
180
2550
ueia
S600
Age 6 to 14
Age Greater ‘Than bb
)
b170
W75
Aa70
Mi
LR70
4070
ros
2200
2270
28
G2 70
115
29
31
O7T50
5650
aTL0
11h
145
L270
41
44
45
50
5)
5120
61450
5650
7050
7750
12400
5070
4100
2950
110
2220
250
3050
215
180
95
170
105
185
2270
3700
4170
3970
4620
4120
2000
1470
2900
2950
3670
59
70
4.5
.
.
3000
:
.
1750
RONGELAP GROUP
The absolute neutrophile count of both the younger and older age groups fell during the
second week to a valuc, approximately 70 to 80 per cent of that of the controls (see Fig. 4.1).
Following the depression of the total neutrophile count during the second week, the values were
unstable until the fifth week. At this time the beginning of a second drup (P < 0.0L) was noted
for both age groups, and a tow value of approximately 50 per cent of controls was reached, The
count was maintained at approximately 75 per cent of contro] values from the seventh week to
the end of the study. Although both age groups followed the same general time pattern of response, the lower age group was below that of the older group throughout most of the observation period.
The absolute lymphocyte count of the older age group (Fig. 4.2) had fallen by the third day
to a value approximately 55 per cent of the control group. This value was maintained through-
out the study, and there was no definite evidence of an upward trend during the study. The
values for the younger age group likewise fell before the third day to a value approximately 25
per cent of the control, following which there was a significant upward trend. With the total!
lymphocyte count, there is a consistent difference between the two age groups. However, during
the first four weeks the difference ts accentuated when expressed as per cent decrease because
of the relatively high lymphocyte levels in the lower age contro] group. After this period the
differences expressed as per cent are less marked since recovery was more rapid in the
younyer age proup.
The cellular elements chiefly responsible for the fluctuations in total white bluod cell
count can be determined by comparing the total white, neutrophile and lymphocyte counts (Fig.
4.3). It is seen that the lymphocyte count remained essentially constant throughout the period
of study, while the total neutrophile count fluctuated with a pattern essentially identical to that
79