sure severity except when counts on groups to be
compared are performed at the sme tine.
The platelet count showed a more systematic
trend than did the neatrophile count. Differences between the low-dose Group ['V and
controls at the tiave of maximem depression for
all growps with the exception of adalt males
4.5
Conclusions
1. Consweratsox Ov Tre degree of depres
sion of peripheral cellular elements indicates
that exposure of Group I was moderstety
severe, probably within 30 to 10) r of the levet
where some fatalities would have resulted.
2. The degree of effect evidenced in Groep |
people is not inconsistent «© .th the physical
estimates of gamma done received, when the
geometry of exposare and other factors are
considered.
Heta lesions of the skin, and the
'
{
t
|
°
ap
low levels of internal radioactive contamination observed are considered not to have con-
!
os
i
dhperenrstntheenamssnsetoen
=
spe tert ye
snonvraenenanay?ea & 7 a re 8 &
wLaveets » 0°
Foot ee 4.1).—Camatetire plateiet counts for flroape
f (Reagriap), 11 1 Cilinginac), end IV CU tinik) aad
control Groap (atthe time of merimam drpression,
tributed significantly to the hematological
changes seen.
3. The extensive serial hematological data
oltained, considered in connection with previous data, allow reasonably accurate character-
ization of the hematological response of human
beings expowmd to single doses of penetrating
radiation in the high sublethal range. The
pattern of change of some elements may be
different for higher dose levels: (see earlier
9
a.
#
~
_
reece eerrhaern
—sacetin
oso 8 Pa Bee Fe aeanenwe aa
PLATELETS a 0"
Piet ee 4.12, —Cemaletire platcict connta for Group 1
(Koegclaps af the time af marimnsm dcpression und
Gomuntha after er poaare,
could be noted, and detectable differences existed
between tie means for the Marshallese higher
evposare groups, Platelet counting is as easy
as. and mere reproducible than leukocyte counts
(121). Thus. the platelet count may prove to
be a useful index of degree of exposure throughove alarge part of the sublethal range.
The above considerations are in accord with
previous findings on human bers and animals.
disenastion ).
The time courve of events is different from
that obmerved in large animals and may be dewribed as follows:
a) The total white count increases danng
the first 2 or more days and then decreases below
normal levels. The total coant then fluctuates
over the next 3 or 6 weeks, with no definite
monuntn and with «ome values above normal
fthe presence of thermal or beta lesions, or
other acute processes dtrmy this time may account in part) for these fluctuations). The
count becomes stabilized during the (th or sth
weekx at low levels, and minimum counts probably occur at this time, .\ definite trend upward is apparent in the Sth or loth weeks:
however complete recovery may require several
months or more.
b) The neutrophile count parallels the total
white blead cell count. Complete return to
normal values does not occur for several months