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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

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