Team for distribution to the people prior to the visit of the physicians. I am not aware that such written informa- | tion is presently available. Such a document may alleviate misunderstandings now in existence. The dispensaries on Rongelap and Utirik should be upgraded with standardization of surgical supplies and medications. The hospital on Ebeye is inadequate to deliver good health care to the $5,000 residents of that island. The construc- tion of the new hospital should be expedited as rapidly as possible. Additional medical training of the Health Aides on Rongelap and Utirik is a necessity. In my opinion, without it, even the scheduled visits by the Medical Officers from the District Headquarters will not prevent possible serious or fatal illnesses in the outer islands. 3. OPINION ON THE REPORTED ACUTE AND LATE RADIATION EFFECTS ONTHEPEOPLEOFRONGELAPANDUTIRIKATOLLS== The Bravo thermonuclear device of the Operation Castle test series was detonated on a coral reef on Bikini Atoll on March 1, 1954. This produced a yield of 15 megatons TNT equivalent and contaminated an area approximately 330 miles by 60 miles with radioactive debris. This large area included Rongelap and Utirik Atolls. The reported exposures to the people on those islands released by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in July 1956 were as follows: Rongelap 175 rads whole body gamma Ailingnae 69 rads " " " Rongerik 78 rads " " " Utirik 14 rads " " " (USAF Personnel) The people of Rongelap received a skin exposure to such a degree to produce burns and partial epilation of the scalp, the result of a significant beta dose. The external beta dose was the result of direct skin contamination by fallout material. The presence of clothing and partial shielding by trees or houses resulted in spotty skin contamination. 200