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examiners. However, even at the nadir of depres
sion (platelets, 28 to 30 days; granulocytes, 42 to
46 days) no associated bleeding tendencyor ine
crease in infections was seen. Eleven individuals
“hau platelet counts between 35,000 and 65,000
but without evidence of bleeding. Between days
23 and 42 post exposure, 10% of the Rongelap
group developed granulocytopenia of q LO0U cells
and 42"¢ had leukocyte counts ¢ 4000 of absolute
granulucyte counts (2500. During Chis period an
epidemic of upper respiratory infections occurred
invelving more than half the esposcd population,
The illness in the higher expesgie Rongelap group
was me more severe than an the tesa exposed
groups, and individuals it all groups were able to
show an upward trend in leukocytes during the
illness. Prophylactic treatment with antibiotics
Wa nol dastituted because iowa Comddercd wier
some complained abo of burning and Lachrymation of the eyes. This may have been due partly
the caustic nature of the Cilloat. “Uhese syanptotis
were los evident in Che American servicemen on
Rongertk and were absentia the Cririk people,
"Table 6 shows the amount of fallout and the res
sulting skin burns for different groupe.
Pemonunel decoutaminatan commenced on
bowed the Navy ships used for evacuation, where
the people were given silawater showers and clotis
iy dowd by the crew. On arrival ar Kavajedein
the shin was stil coutumiiated, ana decontasnaie
Dation procedures were contiaued for weveralcbeys.
Clothing was Lagudered cepestediv, snd) wis aise
carded if its radiation deveb was not sullcieatly re
clued.
The first skin burns appearcd about l2to 14
days post exposure in die Rougelap people: burns
to withhold them until areal need might arise,
appeared somewdrat Liter in the Ailinyiae and
therapy is ordinarily indicated.
ave. Sbout G0of the Rongelap and Adingnae
2. Effects of Skin Exposure
lesions, but none of the Gurik people. The lesions
Antibiotics were given in certain cases where such
Rangerik groups and were less severe and exten:
groupes and 4%: of the Rongerih groups devel ped
Keta burns of the shin are des ribedin detail in
the original report of the medical findiays.* Phe
fallout was ubiquitous on Rongelap, Vilingnac,
and Rongerik. Vhe gritty white tlikes chang ta the
mMaist skin, gotinte the hair, were inhaled, and
were ingested with comtamuiated food and water.
Arcus af the skin covered by clothing were largely
protected, and some who bathed in the lagoon
and children who waded at the water's edge un
knowingly were protecting themselves since they
were later found to have fewer skin burns, Plow.
were inuliiple and spots (Eigure 3) and were
characterized by superficial by perpigiented
tucules, patches, an cased plaques, which des
quanmatcd withina few dave doaving thin, pink
epithelium (Piruee Oy, Noory there was observed
before or during developaent af the lesigus; it
tuav have been hacking because of insutficint chose
tedermis, orion hive been obscured by che
darkiess of the shin, Decper burns with ule era
thon were noted in about 19°T of the Rongelap
people. Epilatan (Finuee 7) asually accompanied
ever, the majority of the people on Kaungelap and
scalp lesiaas and was presalent ip D> this of the
Adingnae had widespread Corin tation ab ex.
posed surfaces of che bodys the sito dose wie prob
oxposcd Ronselap children (Pable Ta. it oecutred
to the beta component.
wrtllae, antecubital fossae. aad feed, bureven the
ably in the thousands of rads and was due masady
to tess dheuroes to adulis and eligi groupe,
Lesions were most conten on the anadesior neck,
Most of the people complarned of iehing and
and region in same sour children was iivelved.
burning of the skin forthe tiast Sho dh he and
Lesions of the dorsum of the feet (igure &} were
Peaboler
Shin Lacstenase
Group
Reaygelap
Coetiperition
Ciithnat clacrvied
Share lesseas aad cpetlateeas
tot NMiarshiatliw:
Pde Cxtaeine Like
Adlingnae
Lt Nuarshitbese
Niacterate Camstlibey
Laws entetar
Reaayerik
DANN Tate Nine rac cures
> Neyees Noneuie oes
Nice lente (oaasthike)
Slighse
Noe
Note
Cink
Do? Nharstiallne
Evteusne