the 27th and 32nd post-exposure days. During the period In which individuals were developing symptoms of the respiratory infection, the leukocyte count of some diverged trom the populia- tion trend. Fifty-two per cent of the leukocyte counts were observed to ine rease to higher levels, the Increase being duc primarily to granulocytes (see chapter 4). Shnee Che tiyerease tn the mean granulocyte count of the entire popukation occurred about the time he epldeniice of URE developed, th seemed pertinent ta determing whether dn individual dastinces the we tease wats HPantaneous of wak in some way related to the presence of respiratory tifeetion, The relatlon ship between the observed leukocyte increase and the presence or absence of upper cespitatory symptoms in the radividuals exposed to radhition sugpested that the two effects were unrelited. Vale oo IMSEASES PHA T APPEARED DULING OSE RV A TLOIN Ob THE HONGE LAD AND ALLINGINAE CdROU PS Number af Disease Furuncle tboiss Gunt Ab cess Choleeystittis (inflamiition of gel bladders Tinea crangeworm) Millelschmery Number ol Irlividuals ; - ) Bronchitis | l | : spondy lolisthuests (mattormiation of vertebra) Impetigo I Tooth extractions 2 Gastroenteritis Uinflamation of stomach | ! \ l Gate rinenstrual pain) ‘1 : | Cremerilized urlicuri (hivars) i | | hoevthemaominttitorme J ; tired rashy Mayrrsniie heackie tae 1 Dikeune lrichivickuaabas Apvetous uleer of tongue (canker sore) t , 1 and intestines Upper respiratory infections Follicular tonsillites | » 417 1 ft Of the 64 individuals from Rongelap, 27 had no respiratory infection and of these 13 (48 per cent) without URI showed a rise in leukocytes; 37 had the infection, and of these, 24 (53 per cent) showed a rise; 7 of these 24 showed a rise three or more days before symptoms appeared. Of the 18 from Ailinginae, 8 had no respiratory infection and 3 (37 per cent) of these showed a rise; 10 had the infection, of these, 3 (33 per cent) showed a rise in count. It is also of interest that not only the irradiated individuals developed the respiratory infection but in addition the medical personnel involved in their care and study also developed equally severe respiratory infections. The respiratory infections consisted of muderate maluise, sore throat with prominent lymphoid follicles, pharyngitis, moderate fever on the first day, and a purulent (pus) nasal and tracheal discharge for 10 days. 2.5 COMPARISON WITH THE UTIRIK GROUP OF DISEASES SEEN IN THE RONGELAP AND AILINGINAE GROUPS DURING THE PERIOD OF OBSERVATION The diseases that were seen in the Rongelap and Ailinginae groups during the period of observation are listed in Table 2.1. None of these appeared to be related to the effects of ir- radiation, either directly or as a result of the hematologic disturbances. For comparison, the diseases that were seen in the Utirik group during the period of observation are listed in Table 2.2. The high incidence of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stornach and intestines) in both Eroups was probably due to the Marshallese keeping perishable foods unrefrigerated for long periods, and was not seen after this practice was stopped. It would appear that a higher percentage of the Rongelap-Ailinginae group developed upper respiratory infections conipared to the Utirik group. However, all of the Rongelap-Ailinginae group were questioned concerning even mild symptoms of URI, whereas only those of the Ltirik group with severe symptomis of 29