39
for all age groups, a relatively low figure compared with that for Japanese and American
age 54) died of a genitourinary infection complicating diabetes even thoughshe (along with the
Thyroid Metabolism
Orinase (tolbutamid tablets). (It was later found
that these patients did not take the tablets con-
societies.
Table 24 showsresults of protein boundiodine,
total iodine, and butanol extractable iodine deter-
minations. The 12 samples obtained in 1959
showed values definitely lower than the 1958
values, although several readings werestill somewhat high. It was thought that the high 1958
levels must have been due to contaminated glass-
warein spite of the great care taken to maintain
strict cleanliness.
Glucosuria
On routine urine analysis during the 1959 sur-
other cases) had been placed on oral therapy with
sistently.)
Table 26 compares the mortality from diabetes
in the United States*? and the Marshall Islands.
The incidence appears higher in the Marshall
Islands and on Rongelap Island (based on its
small population). It should be noted that, since
only routine urine examinations were done on the
Rongelap people, the incidence of diabetes may
actually be higher. The greater incidence of deaths
due to diabetes in the Marshall Islands than in the
United States in 1956 and 1957°' is statistically
significant (0.01 >p>>0.001).
vey one male and four females(all in the unexposed group) were found to have glucosuria; all
Serum Vitamin B,,
sugar level* (see Table 25). These individuals
1959 again showed,as in 1958, vitamin B,, levels
Analysis of the 15 serum samples obtained in
but oneofthese also had an elevated fasting blood
were considered to have mild diabetes mellitus.
Later during the year one of these cases (#854, F,
*Weare grateful to Dr. W.W. Fennel at Kwajalein for having
the blood sugar analyzed.
slightly higher than norma!. The mean value was
714 wyg/ml, with a range of 312 to 1500, A scatter-
gram oflevels for both years was plotted against
white blood count, since it has been shownthatin
leukemia the white cells have a higher B,, binding
Table 23
Results of ComplementFixation Tests on Rongelap People, 1959, by Age and Sex
(Positive Reactions of Serum Dilutions 1-10) -
Long
No.in FluA
FluB_
Age, age
yr
group No.
% No. %
HA |
HA 2
CA
(Respiratory
(Parainfluenza3) (Parainfluenza 1) (Parainfluenza 2) syncitial, CCA)
No.
Jo
No.
%
No.
Fo
No.
LGV
Adeno
%
No
6
35
14
6
30
10
50
(Psittacosis
OF
Mumps
group)
(Q fever)
% No.
%
No.
%
No. %
Females
oe)
6-15
G
17
16-40
24
4
Total
61
>40
26
8
47
16
80
4
$17
20
9
38
19
8
13
16
26
43
7
35
79
70
4
14
0
2
3
26
43
40
66
4
33
11
1
100
5
16
82
1
1
58
.
67
2
i2
1
6
2
12
5
1
5
8
5
8
6
25
3
13
8
13
5
l
2
8
Males
1- 5
6-15
1
12
1
16-40
>40
21
=17
4
6.
Total
51
11
8
19
35
2
17
11
92
8
12
38
71
18
14
86
82
22 22
43
43
84
0
2
1
10
6
6
5
29
29
«11
9
«52
53
92
3
5
«+14
29
«#1
#3
1
5
18
8
1
8
3
6
15
29
32
63
8
16
5
190
1
2
9
6
5
Females Plus Males
Total
112
19
17 38
34
86
77
0
5
.
4
41
37
72
6416
14
10