err RG 374 D FENCE Nuct #DE . Leecticn WARC GFency : Access No. O14 524 H TN SORE AOSRH? HEADQUARTERS JOINT TASK FORCESCHR AFO 187 (HOw) BonlY¥ . c/o Fu San Francisco, Calif. Foider_ MJATIVvEs(956. eaea 10 April 1954 SUBJECT: Medical Conference at Kwajalein TO: Commander Joint Task Force Seven APO 187 (HOw), c/o Postmaster San Francisco, California 1. Conferences were held at Kwajalein on 5 and 6 April 1954 at which Col Clinton S. Maupin, MC, USé, Staff Surgeon, JIF 7; Col Karl H. Houghton, MC, USAF, Surgeon, TG 7.4; CDR Sugene F. Cronkite, MC, USI, Project 4.1; CDR William J. Hall, MC, US, Surgeon, NavStaKwaj; Lt Col Louis E. Browning, MC, USA, Surgeon, AFGsP; Lt Col G, M. MeDonnel, MC, USA, Walter Reed Army Hospital and other members of Project 4.1 participated. 2. The condition, progress, treatment, management, and dispo- sition of all patients having symptoms and physical findings due to radiation were discussed in detail. a. Rongelap natives. The condition of these patients is good at this time. The upper respiratory epidemic has been mild and has shown no synergistic action with the radiation symptoms toward an overall deleterious effect. The epidemic has responded to simple outpatient type of coryza treatment. There is a slight increase in white blood cell and platelet counts which indicates that maximum effect of radiation damage has been seen and that regeneration is taking place. Most of the skin lesions are subsiding and few new cases are being seen. The most recent skin menifestations have been on the feet and in general have been more severe then the other types. Involvement is on the dorsum of the feet (none having been observed on the soles) consisting of blister formation and swelling. Following rupture of the blisters desquamation takes place with some depigmentation. Most of these lesions heal promptly with conservative therapy. In general all areas of skin involvement result in depigmentation and 2 parchment-like appearance of the skin. It was felt thet these patients were progressing TLASSIFICATION CANCELLED © AUGHORITY OF POTfoc s ive awl Swrsuer TD Doe ES-SO_ S~14-4 NO DOE CLASs, COORDINA