38 phosphatase staining of neutrophils showeda generally normal distribution of positive cells, as in the previous year. Basophil counts of 4000 cells showednoincrease in levels above the normal per- centage in anysubjects, either exposed or unexposed, in the 1959 and 1960 surveys, except for 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 groupare not yet complete for 1959. The individual values for alkaline phosphatase and basophil counts are presented in Appendix 5. ComplementFixation Tests The results of the complementfixation tests are shown in Table 23. In discussing these results Dr. R. J. Heubner madethefollowing comments: “I suppose the most interesting thing is that there is evidence of 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 hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing antibodies. Therefore, the high levels of adenovirus and HA | complement-fixing antibodiesreflect either recent infection 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 fever mayreflect low levels of infection with these agents, but more likely might reflect the fact - that such agents have not been prevalent in recent years. Thus, one might conclude from the data that the Asian influenzavirus has not yet seriously involved the Marshall Island populations, or else, of course, that the complement-fixing antibody produced bythe Asian influenza hasnotpersisted. “T would rather suspect from the age distribution that Asian influenza still has not reached these people, and that one might look forward to see if they are involved at some future date. Simlarly, the age distribution of influenza B antibodies suggests that it has not occurred for at least 6 to 10 years. The absence of HA 2 antibodiessuggests that the virus has not been prevalentin re- *In 1959 his basophil count was 2.1%, WBC 8600, and alkaline phosphatase negativecells 79%. In 1960 his basophil count a) C3 om cr) Cr was 3%, WBC 6100, and alkaline phosphatase negative cells 70%. No abnormal forms wereseen. cent years. However, the total absence of antibodies 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 morelikely interpretationis that the virus has not been present in 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 membersof the parainfluenza group. “Tt would be interesting to find out to what extent the psittacosis group and fever represent a threat to this population, and of course in the birds and domestic animals as well.” Dr. Heubner’s forecast of Asian influenza in the Marshall Islands from the Rongelap datais interesting in that an epidemic of serious proportions did occur at Kwajalein Atoll in January 1960 resulting 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 is not known whetherthisis a significant finding; further studies will be done to determinethis. At three years after exposure, the primary responseto tetanus antitoxin averaged slightly less in the exposed people than in the un- exposed.* However, because of the small numbers of people studied, this finding could not be considered significant. Sodium and Potassium Levels, 1959 Potassium intake appeared to approximatethatof Americans, namely, 240 to 100 mEq/day. Salt intake varied widelyas judged byurine 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 median intake of salt appeared to approximate that of male employees at Brookhaven National Laboratory, namely, 10 g/day. This undoubtedlyrepresents an increase over the intake in earlier years when only native foods were eaten. It will be of interest to note whether the incidence of hypertension also will begin to increase. At present the prevalence of hypertension (B.P. greater than 140/90)is 9.2%