Fe a ln ce and 4 hours later, 104. The two-year old child had an initial temperature of 101.8 degrees which rose to 103.5 degrees in 4 hours. Both were piven intramuscular procaine penicillin when the sharp rise in temperature occurred, and both were without symptoms and tever the following day. A second injection of penicillin was given at this time, and therapy was discontinued. In spite of the fact that the neutrophiles: remained depressed in both cases long after the fever had passed, both individuals recovered and had no further tliness. In Figure 2.1 the blood counts and platelets of the two-year old patient and the time of the occurrence of the illness with fever are illustrated. A one-year old boy had symptoms of upper respiratory infection for several days before being brought to the clinic. When he was seen, his temperature was 100.8 deprecs. In addition to the head colds therc was pharyngeal injection and numerous course rhonchs (wheezing) throughoul the chest. A diagnosis of upper respiratory infection with ussociated bronchitis was made and the child was given a gingle intramuseular injection of procame penicillin. On the following day no rales or rhonchi were heard, (he temperature was 99°F, and he remained asymptomatic without further treatment. Oneof the 13 individuals was a 50-year old man who reported to the clinic with weakness, nervousness, mild abdominal pain, and shooting pain in the upper anterior chest, biluterally. He appeared moderately ill, his temperature was 99.6°F, and the only positive physical finding was moderate tenderness in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Since his granulocyte count remained low on repealed examination, he was seen at frequent intervals. Within a 10 hour period the temperature rose to 101.6°F, following which it fell gradually to normal. The abdominal tenderness continued for 24 hours and then gradually disappeared during the subsequent two days. A diagnosis of cholecystitis (inflamation of the gall bladder) was made. No specific therapy was given. In Figure 2.2 his white blood count and platelet counts in relation to the appearance of symptoms are shown. A female, 38, developed generalized urticaria, fever, and headache. Urticaria and fever subsided within 8 hours without any therapy. 2.3.2 Platelet Counts All individuals with a platelet count of 100,000 or less were examined daily for evidence of hemorrhage into the skin, mucous membranes, and retinae. Urine was examined for red cells and albumin, and women were questioned concerning excessive menstruation. There was no evidence of hemorrhage into tissues even though 11 individuals reached platelet levels between 35,0900 and 65,000. Two women menstruated when their platelet counts were 150,000 and 130,000 respectively. Both menstrualed several extra days and thought that the bleeding was excessive but not sufficient to cause concern. 2.3.3 Hematocrit Changes Nineteen individuais in the Rongelap group had hematocrits of 35 per cent or below; however, none of these were below 31 per cent. Nine of the 19 were children, aged one to five years who would be expected to have a lower hematocrit than normal adults; four were over 70 years of age, in which age group a decreased hematocrit is frequently present without obvious cause. Two of the 19 had had menorrhagia (profuse menstruation) prior to the determination, two were three to four months pregnant and had not received supplementary iron, and two were young women. The low hematocrits that were observed could be explained on the basis of normal physiological] variations rather than to the effects of irradiation on hematopoiesis (blood formation). At no time were whole biood transfusions considered since hematocrits remained within levels consistent with well being and normal activity. (2.4 THE EFFECT OF AN EPIDEMIC OFUPPERRESPIRATORYINFECTION ON AN IRRADIATED POPULATION Between the 27th and 42nd post-exposure days an epidemic of upper respiratory diseases (URI) occurred. Fifty-eight per cent of the Rongelap group and 56 per cent of the Ailinginae group were involved. Seventy per cent of the affected individuals developed symptoms between 26