Careful examination of the skin, including color photography and biopsiesof selected cases, was carried out. Examination of the eyes included slit-lamp observations
for opacities.
Hematological examinations included total WBC, differentials, platelet counts and
hematocrit. In addition, cover slip smears were prepared and fixed. They were
stained and examined for phosphatase in the neutrophiles.* Thesedata will serve as a
baseline should any leukemic change later appear. In addition, sufficient smears were
taken on each individual for a 4000 WBC differential count for basophiles.
Approximately 57 liters of urine were collected at random from the irradiated
population and precipitated for radiochemical analysis. The urinary sediment and a
limited number of individual 24-hr samples were subjectedto radiochemical analysis. **
In addition, roentgenographs of the right femur on all children were obtained for studies of possible effects of skeletal deposition of radionuclides.
The above examinations were carried out with the aid of several interpreters and
English-speaking Marshallese nurses,
Interval History and Clinical Findings
Interval History
Both the control and exposed (Rongelap and Ailingnae) groups were in good general
health during the past 12 months. An epidemic of chicken pox (with no reported complications) involved a large percentage of both populations in the period between the
one- and two-year examinations, One case of uncomplicated measles occurred in the
Rongelap group during the year. Five childbirths were reported among the Rongelap
people and one in the control group; the infants developed normally and were free of
any apparent abnormalities, Five Rongelap women and three women in the control
group currently have uncomplicated pregnancies.
One child and an adult in the ex-
posed group were seriously ill during the past year and their cases will be discussed
later, Two Rongelap children had been treated recently for intestinal parasites. At
the time of this survey no deaths in either group had been reported during the past
year.
However, on May 13, 1956, one death, which will be reported below, occurred
among the Rongelap people,
Clinical Findings
In general, the people of both the exposed and control groups appeared to be in
good health and nutritional condition. Tables 1 and 2 listthe positive clinical findings,
which were about equally distributed between the two groups. None of the clinical findings in the exposed group, with the exception of residua of skin lesions, could be attributed to the effects of irradiation. A few findings were noted during the two-year
study which were not recorded on previous examinations, With the exception of the
cases discussed below in further detail, it was not believed that these additional findings represented recent pathological developments.
A 77-year-old man, #46, gave a history of paresis of the right upper and left lower
extremities of nine months’ duration with gradual improvement in strength and function
*These studies were carried out by Dr. W.C.
Moloney and Miss
Lila Fliegelman of the Boston City
Hospital.
**Radiochemical analysis was carried out by Lt. A.G. Schrodt (MSC) USA, and Pvt. A. Burstein, USA,
of Walter Reed Institute of Research, and Dr. John Harley and Mr. Edward Hardy of the New York
Operations Office of the AEC,