we om he ‘ : Ee cee Emenee te Mies tes 12 were obtained with the electronic Coulter, which again proved to be a verysatisfactory instrument for examinationsofthis type in the field. Differential counts were performed in the usual manner after staining with Wright’s fluid. Platelet counts were done by phase microscopy. Hemoglobin was determined by the cyan-hemoglobin technique with the Lumitron colorimeter, but only 49 determinations were possible because of breakdown of the Lumitron. Hematocrits were obtained by the microhematocrit method. Reticulocyte counts were carried out in 16 people who had low hemoglobin values. Serum proteins were determined with the Hitachi refractometer. Blood and serum samples for certain studies to be described below werecollected and kept underrefrigeration and finally shipped back for study. Urine Analysis Routine urine analyses were done on almost all people receiving physical examinations. These in- cluded determinations of protein and hyperglu- cosuria by reagent paper strips. * Serum Examinations for Calcium, Phosphorus, and Protein Bound lodine These studies were carried out in six of the chil- dren in the exposed group of the growth and development study.** *Combistix, Ames Company, Inc., Elkhart, Indiana. **We are grateful to Drs. D.D. Van Slyke and L.V. Hankes of LL Law 4 ern ae Cf eo this Laboratoryfor carrving out these determinations. Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation The methods used in the radionuclide body burden evaluation are described later in a separate section. Results and Discussion The census of Rongelap people in March 1961 was 334, of which 81 were in the exposed group (including 4 children exposed imutero at the time of the accident); 33 were children of exposed parents, and 220 were unexposed people; Table 1 shows their location. In Table 2 the population is broken downaccording to percent distribution in various age groups and compared with that of the Marshall Islands as a whole for 1948-1950 andofthe United States for 1960. The table also shows the median age. The lower median age of the Marshallese would tend to support the impression that their life span is shorter than that of people in the continental United States, but there has been a “population explosion” in those islands which might account for this discrepancy. “We are grateful to Mrs. Ruth Saart of South Nassau Com- munities Hospital, Rockville Centre, L.I., N.Y., for carrying out the serum iron determinations. nena ann ie Complete routine blood counts were carried out with repeat counts on any persons showing abnormalities. White blood counts and red blood counts PTCemgnmreestieme ee ie Hematological Examinations In previous surveys extensive studies have been made on certain genetically inherited characteristics such as blood groupings, haptoglobin and transferrin, hemoglobin types, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenaseactivity of red cells, B-amino-zsobutyric acid excretion, etc. One type of gamma globulin had not been previously studied in the Rongelap people, and 149 sera were collected during this survey for determination of the Gm type of gammaglobulin. The determinations were carried out by Dr. A.G. Steinberg of Western Reserve University and his collaborators and reported along with the same observations on other populations;* the methods used werealso reported. ee mmemenmey LABORATORY PROCEDURES Serum Gamma Globulin Studies eee ae Dental examinations were carried out on most of the people on theisland, particularly those requiring dental attention. Serum iron determinations were performed in the 16 people who were found to have an anemic tendency to see whetherdeficiency of this element might be responsible.* ee DENTAL SURVEY Serum Iron [itnensetintenicniiemmie! ne Mee “te scores into 5-year age groups was done to reduce possible errors due to the uncertainty of the exact age of some individuals.