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tion. since the incidence of familial diseases including cancer was generally unknown bvthe
during this survey, since interesting trendsofage-
case of women, menstrual. obstetric. and nursing
this survey, as in the past, aging criteria were
history. In the physical examination particular
emphasis was placed .on examination ofthe skin.
node-bearing areas. head and neck. chest. breast.
abdomen. and external genitalia. Pelvic examina-
tions were carried out on all mature females, and
vaginal and cervical smears for Papanicolaou
examination were obtained.* Rectal examinations
were carried out on all persons > 40 vears ofage.
This included examination ofthe feces for blood
(guaiac testing of the feces on finger cot) and, in
the case of men, palpation of the prostate gland.
Chest plates were not taken routinely but were ob-
tained on about 30 adults “> +0 vears of age (and
on certain other cases were indicated).** Hematological data were obtained and were available
for evaluation.
In detection of possible leukemia (or preclinical
evidence ofincipient leukemia) the lymph nodes
and spleen were carefully examined, and hema-
tological data were taken including routine hemo-
grams, percent basophils in a 4000 white cell
count, and alkaline phosphatase examinations of
the white blood cells on differential smears.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
STUDIES IN CHILDREN
In addition to the routine pediatric examina-
tions. certain special anthropometric measurements on the children were recorded. Such data
included age, weight, stature. sitting hetght, head
circumference, biacromial width, bi-iliac width,
Be
aes
Laie e
dependent changes had been observed. During
recorded on adults aged 20 years and over. Of
the 130 adults examined +5 were in the exposed
group and 8) in the larger comparison population.
From Table 2, which shows the age distribution,
it can be seen that it would have been desirable
to have had more people in the upper age bracket of the comparison group.
Of the 15 aging criteria studied. 8 were meas-
ured directly and 6 were estimated on a0 to ++
scale. Five tests involved the integument: ( 1} skin
loosness, (2) skin elasticity (retraction time), (3:
senile changesin the skin, (+) graving ofthe hair,
and i3) baldness. Three tests involved the special
sense organs: (1) accommodation. (2) visual acuitv, and +3) arcus senilis. The cardiovascular svstem was tested by (1) systolic and (2) diastolic
pressure readings, and (3) estimation of degree of
peripheral arteriosclerosis. There was one test of
neuromuscular function (hand tally count). Vigor
was measured by hand strength measurements
with a dvnamometer.
Because of sex differences some of the above criterla were evaluated separatelyfor the two sexes:
those were baldness, neuromuscular function, and
handstrength.
In order that the estimated and measured data
could be compared and combined, both tvpesof
data were converted to a percentage scale. The
estimated values 0, 1 +, 24+,3+.and 4+ were
presented also as 0, 25. 30, 75, and 100"% respec-
tivelv. In the case of the measured data, the values
associated with least aging were taken as 0c
and calf circumference. Roentgenographsof the
lett wrists were studied for skeletal maturation.
strength: sometimesthe lowest, as with visual acu-
AGING STUDIES
The data were examined on both an individual
basis and a population basis, \ mean age score
was obtained for each individual by averagingall
A detailed report of the procedures used in the
studies of aging criteria in the Rongelap people
was published in the last report’ and will not be
repeated here. The batterv of tests that had been
*We wish to thank Dr. Genevieve Bader of Memorial SloanKetrering Cancer Center, N.Y.C.. tor interpretation of the
Papanicolaou smears.
**We are grateful to Dr. Paul Lichtbiau of Rockville Centre,
L.I.. NY . for interpretation ofthe chest roentgenograms,
ue
Be
loss and retinal arteriosclerosis, were used again
people. The history yielded some information on
changes in weight. historyofillness, and, in the
i4
used in previous survevs, except those for hearing
Swei
aem
(sometimes the highest reading as with hand
itv), and those indicating most aging as 100°.
his percent test values. In studying population
trends, means were calculated for each criterion
by 5-vear age groups (in most cases) including
combined exposed and unexposed populations;
these were plotted and a curve was drawn accord-
ing to the best fit by eve. A curve was obtained in
the same wavof the 5-vear group meansof the
individual mean age scores. The combining of