ee: 38 phosphatase staining of neutrophils showed a generally normaldistribution of positive cells, as in the previous year. Basophil counts of 4000 cells showed noincrease in levels above the norma!percentage in any subjects, either exposed or unexposed, in the 1959 and 1960 surveys, exceptfor one 6-year-old exposed boy ( #3).* The mean percent basophil count (counting 4000 white cells) for the exposed Rongelap group was 0.42% in 1959 and 0.93% in 1960; in the Ailingnae group, 0.29% in 1959 and 0.80% in 1960. Basophil counts on the unexposed group are not yet complete for 1959. The individual values for alkaline phos- phatase and basophil counts are presented in Appendix 5. Complement Fixation Tests Theresults of the complementfixationtests are shown in Table 23. In discussing these results Dr. R. J. Heubner madethe following comments: “IT suppose the most interesting thing is that there is evidenceof infection with almost all the groupsofviruses that wetested for. It is important to point out that complement-fixing antibodies are generally less persistent than are hemagglutina- tion inhibition,and neutralizing antibodies. Therefore, the high levels of adenovirus and HA | complement-fixing antibodiesreflect either recentin- fection or multiple infections with various members of the parainfluenza family of viruses. The low levels obtained for other agents, such as influenza A, influenza B, HA 2, CA, mumps, LGV, and Q fever mayreflect low levels of infection with these agents, but morelikely might reflect the fact that such agents have not been prevalentin recent years. Thus, one might conclude from the data that the Asian influenzavirus has not yet seriously involved the Marshall Island populations,orelse, of course, that the complement-fixing antibody produced bythe Asian influenza has notpersisted. “T would rather suspect from the age distribution that Asian influenzastill has not reached these people, and that one might look forwardto see if they are involved at some future date. Similarly, the age distribution of influenza B antibodies suggests that it has not occurredfor atleast 6 to 10 years. The absence of HA 2 antibodies suggests that the virus has not been prevalentin re*In 1959 his basophil count was 2.1%, WBC 8600, and alka- line phosphatase negative ceils 79%. In 1960 his basophil count was 3%, WBC 6100, and alkaline phosphatase negativeceils 70%. No abnormalforms were seen. cent years. However, the total absenceof anti- bodies even in persons over 40 suggests the possibility that it has not occurredin this population at all, but the first interpretation is equally good. The same comments would refer to the CA virus or parainfluenza 2, but here the more likely interpretation is that the virus has not been presentin the recent past, but the presence of antibodies may suggest that it had been present 16 or more years earlier. Since there is some overlap in antigens and antibodies between mumpsandthe parainfluenza group, the CA reactions and/or the mumpsreactions could conceivably merely reflect infections with other members of the parainfluenza group. “It would be interesting to find out to whatextent the psittacosis group and fever represent a threat to this population, and of course in the birds and domestic animals as well.” Dr. Heubner’sforecast of Asian influenza in the Marshall Islands from the Rongelap data is interesting in that an epidemic of serious proportions did occur at Kwajalein Atoll in January 1960 re-. sulting in significant mortality. The average antibodytiters for the different age groups in the exposed people were, in nearlyall cases, lower than in the corresponding unexposed age groups. It 1s not known whetherthisis a significant findine: further studies will be done to determine this. .\t three vears after exposure, the primary response to tetanus antitoxin averaged slightly less in the exposed people than in the unexposed.” However, because of the smal! numbers of people studied, this finding could not be considered significant. Sodium and Potassium Leveis, 1959 Potassium intake appeared to approximatethat of Americans, namely, =40 to 100 mEq/day. Salt intake varied widely as judged by urine excretion, ranging from 2 to 18 g/day. Therelatively high salt consumption of some individuals is undoubtedly related to the irregular consumption of canned C rations, to which 2% NaCl is added routinely during preparation. The medianintake of salt appeared to approximate that of male employees at Brookhaven National Laboratory, namely, ~10 g/day. This undoubtedly represents an increase over the intake in earlier years when only native foods were eaten.It will be of interest to note whetherthe incidence of hypertension also will begin to increase. At present the prevalence of hypertension (B.P. greater than 140/90)is 9.2%