Ihere any vaginml bleeding. However, alPof the prepnaot worteu were blood typed asa pre
cautionary maeasiare. So fir, the exposure to radiation tink not hada debeterious effect on prop
hancy. Simee the depurtice of the medreadl proup from Rwapadbeai one vppeeeeut ly mora) daaby
hits been born,

2.8

DISCUSSION ON ‘THE USE OF ANTIBIOTICS IN THIS GROUP AND IN RADIATION INJURY

There were few indications for the use of antibiotics when the principles of treatment previously mentioned were used. Individuals in the Rongelap and Allinginae groups that received
antibiotics are listed in Table 2.5. Of the individuals treated with the antibiotics, the first three
received it prophylacUically and it would have been indicated had they not been irradiated. The
indication for i118 use in the next three was questionable. There was a definite indication for its
use only in the next three individuals and again it would have been given for similar conditions
In unirradiated individuals. The last two individuals with furuncles (boils) would probably have
responded equally well to surgical treatment alone, since the infection was well localtzed and

easily drained.
In peneral, i can be concluded that hunian beings with the degree of depression of henuitopoiesis noted did not need antiblotics prophylactically. With severer degrees of radhation inJury resulting ina greater depression of hematopoiesis, prophylactic antiblotie therapy may be
indicated in selected cases. He the number of individuals is small enough so that changes in the
blood count, temperature, and clinical evidence of tnfection can be followed closely, it would

appear that antibiotics shuuld not be started until there is a clear-cut clinical indication for the
use of these agents.

—_—ame

ee

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