6 body burdenlevel of radionuclides; this indicates that there is probably no correlation with radiation exposure. Hemoglobin types were considered normal. Sickling tests showed no sickling tendency in any of the people. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase of the red cells appeared to be deficient in the Marshallese. Studies of Gm phenotypes showed the Marshallese to have 100% Gm'**? and nearly 100% Gm'*+', There was a complete absence of Gm* and a high frequency of Gm-like (Gm°*). Considerable caution must be exercised in evaluating the results of these studies on genetically inherited characteristics because of the small num- ber of samples tested, The data do seem to indicate relative homogeneity of the population and closest kinship with people of Southeast Asia. These data also may be useful as a buse line should genetic changes appearin later generations, possibly related tu radiation exposure. Results of other laboratory studies included the following: Serum protein levels were generally on the high side of normal; electrophoretic patterns showed the increase in proteins was largely due to an increase in the gamma globulin fraction. The reason for this is not apparent. Numerous chronic infections may be an explanation. Sodium levels in the urine and food indicated about the same consumption of NaCl as in Amer- icans. The generally lower incidence of hypertension in the Marshallese might be related to the fact that the former native dict was probably lower in salt content than the present, more westernized dict. It will be interesting to see whether the incidence of hypertension will later increase. Serum cholesterol levels (1957, 1959) were somewhat lower in the exposed population than in the comparison or Utirik populations, but were in the low normal range. No abnormally low readings were noted. Serumcreatinine levels (1957) were in the normal range with no abnormal Iev.'s noted. Serum vitamin B,, concentrations (1958, 1959) were generally significantly higher than American levels. the possibility of contamination of the samples with bacteria producing vitamin B,, must be considered, since mycloproliferative and liver discases were not seen. Serum protein boundiodine levels (1957, 1959) were generally slightly elevated. Evidence for thyroid dysfunction was not apparent in the people. Glucosuria and elevated blood sugar were found in 4 unexposedindividuals, which indicated a rather high incidence of diabetes. A survey for intestinal parasites (1958) showed 75% of the people to be infected with various types. For the three major pathogens found, the over-all infection rates were, for Entamoeba histolytica, 18.2%, for hookworm, 5.5%; and for Trichuris trichiura, 34.3%. Eosinophilia >5% has consistently been noted in abouthalf the people. The fact that half the cases with eosinophilia showed no helminthic infections at all suggests that other factors besides parasitic infections must be responsible. The cosinophilia maybe related to chronic fungus and other infections, particularly of the skin. Complementfixation studies for parainflucnza 1, 2, and 3, respiratory syncitial, psittacosis, and Q fever showed antibodies to all groups of viruscs except that for Asian influenza, which probably had not yet seriously involved the people of the Marshall Islands. The antibody titers appeared to be somewhat lower in the exposed people. DIFFICULTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXAMINATIONS As mentioned in previous reports, several difficulties were associated with carrying out the examinations as well as interpreting the findings. 1. The language barricr made examinationsdifficult, since very little English is spoken by the Marshallese. However, there were sufficient English-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical team in most instances, 2. The lack of vital stutistics or demographic data on the Marshallese imposed a serious difficulty in interpretation and evaluation of the medical data. Records of births, deaths, ctc., have been muade by the health aides or magistrates of the villages and supposedly forwarded to the district administrator, however, such records have been incomplete or lost in most instances, and vital statistics are therefore inadequate. Trust Territory officials are now attempting to assemble such data. 3. There is uncertainty on the part of some of the Marshallese as to their cxuct ages, particularly among the older group. This imposes certain diMculls in interpreting some of the studies to be ouuined,