32
The various changes generally associated with
physiological senescence are knownto show wide
variability among individuals of the same age, and
this was borne out by these data. However, some
of the criteria appeared to be better indices of aging than others, judging by the degree of change
and the variability of the data observed. (This
statement is not based on statistical analysis.)
Someofthe better criteria appeared to be accommodationofthe eyes, visual acuity, skin retraction,
arcus senilis, greying of the hair, and hand
strength. The measured criteria would be expected to be morereliable than the estimated ones
in view of the subjective element and less precise
Table 20
Residual Beta Burns, 1960
Subject
No.
Sex
17
F
24
F
26
M
39
49
F
F
scoring of the latter. This appeared generally to
be the case, but the estimated values for greying
of the hair and arcussenilis correlated surprisingly
well with age. The amountof subcutaneousfat
probably influenced measurementsofskin loose-
ness, but, since loss of subcutaneousfat is some-
what age dependent, probablyin the right direction. It is hoped that in the futurestatistical treatmentof the data mayfurnish a weighting factor for
each criterion based on the degree of age-associated change andthe variability of the data.It is
not always possible to run the complete battery of
tests on each individual, and use of such weighting
factors would tend to minimizethe disparity due
to the omissions.
The data presented must be considered as pre-
liminary in nature and to represent only a small
fraction of the many varied changes associated
with the aging process. Underthe conditions of
Age
Description
9 Slight depigmentedscars, left antecubital fossae.
19 Mottled spots of pigmentation and
depigmentation, dorsum offeet.
18 Marked scarring between first and
secondtoes, right foot, with binding
to subcutaneoustissues. Areas oflesser involvement peripheral to this
area. No evidenceof chronic radiation dermatitis.
20 Slight mottled pigmentation-depigmentation with little scarring, dorsum of feet. Mottled hyperpigmented spots persist on back of neck.
21 Black moles believed to have increased in numberoverright side of
examinations of the Marshallese, the battery of
tests employed is necessarily limited. As more experience is gained, someof the tests may be eliminated and newones added. Thetests of vigor are
thought to be extremely important in assessing
aging, and it is hoped that moretests of this nature
may be added. At this time the data are presented
to introduce an approach to a feasible meansof
assaying “biological age” which might be ofuse in
studying the possible effects of radiation on the aging phenomenon in humanbeings. In the case of
the exposed Marshallese, results of further aging
surveys will be carefully evaluated, and theresults
neck, also several noted in left ante-
59
F
63
F
67
F
cubital fossa.
40 Mottled roughening and pigment
variation, back of neck.
42 Mottled pigmentation, left side of
neck, with slight rougheningof skin.
20 Depigmented scarred areas with
slight atrophyof skin over dorsum of
feet, particularly at site of deeper
scar on left foot. Some areas adjacent
to scars show increased pigmenta-
78
F
79
M
tion.
43 Pigmented moles appear to have increased in number over left side of
neck and to lesser extent on right
side at sites of rather deep beta
burns.
45 Back of left ear shows depigmented
scar with some binding downto.cartilage. No evidence of breakdown.
Figure 32. Residual scarring between first and second
toes, right foot, from beta burns, 5 years post exposure
(Subject #26).