VI

PREFACE

AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Jones of USNRDL, who prepared the autoradiographsof the tissues. In addition, Dr. W. P.
Norris of Argonne National Laboratory made
autographs of specific tissues. Dr. Rachael
Reed of USNRDL performed the microscopic
pathological studies of the tissues from the animals in whom radioisotopes were deposited internally. Lt. Col. R. J. Veenstra, VC, U. S.
Army, was in charge of the care of all the experimental animals collected in the field and returned to the United States Naval Radiological
Defense Laboratory. Dr. E. R. Thompkins
made the facilities of the chemical technology
division of the USNRDL available and provided technical advice on the radiochemical
aspects of the project.
The continuous help and cooperation of the
Trust Territory representatives in particular,
Mr. Maynard Neass, District Administrator of
Majuro Atoll and their aid in obtaining the
necessary control data on Marshallese inhabitants was indispensable to the success of this
study. Particular help was obtained from Mr.
John Tobin, the district anthropologist, whose
knowledge of the Marshallese language and
habits, in addition to services as an interpreter,
were invaluable.
The initial measurements on skin and clothing contamination were made by Lt. J. S.
Thompson, MC, USN, of V. P. 29 Squadron.
Weare indebted to him for furnishing his records on the contaminated individuals and the
initial decontamination that was performed by
his group.
The care and the study of these human beings
would not have been successful unless “the
Marshallese had accepted the importance of
their being under careful medical observation
and of gathering medical data. At all times
these people were most plersant, cooperative
and actively participated in the project. In
particular the project officer wishes to express
thanks to the Magistrates of the groups, to the
Marshallese health aids, school teachers, and
nurses.

It is quite impossiblf to acknowledge the
assistance of the numerdus individuals in various agencies who assistafl in collection of data
and editing of the variofs chapters. The Project Officer wishes to cofmmendall of the professional and technical members of the group
for their excellent motWWation, initiative, and
voluntary long hours offextra work that were
essential for the accomphishmentof the clinical

and research objectives ad the rapidcollection

of the preliminary dath in the field. It is
quite evident that the ehtire study of the exposed individuals was @ cooperative endeavor
involving numerousacti¥ities, and that it would
have been impossible eq¥cept for the splendid
spirit of unselfish coopeyftion by all concerned.
The fine team work of fhe group itself made
it possible for realistic faily reports on all of
the above phases to be forwarded daily to responsible agencies andfthus keep authorities
informed of the course Rnd severity of events
following this untowardjand unavoidable accident.
Upon completion of t ie initial phase of the
study, primary respons ility for writing reports on the variouse p ases was delegated as
follows: C. A. Sondhe is, dosimetry; N. R.
Shulman, clinical coursd and care; R. A. Conard, skin lesions: V. P.[Bond, hematology; 5.

H. Cohn, internal depogiti
The final publication pf this nenograph on
humanradiation injury Fepresents the completion of the finest in coopfration and team work
of a diverse group whp
willingly sacrificed
personal ambitions and] desires for the good
of the project at large. [[t was a distinct privilege to be chosen to disect the medical team,
a real pleasure to edit ahd integrate the separate reports and finally} realize their fruitton
ts a homogeneous mono

E. P. Cron
Medicai D yurtment,
Brookhave National Laboratory,

Upton, Ne r York.

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