7 doubled because ofthe influx of relatives who had come back from other islands to live with them. These people had been away from Rongelap Atoll at the time of the accidental exposure. This group matched reasonably well for age and sex and was of comparable size. Since the return of the people to Rongelap, however, this group has about doubledin size. Since the peopie are of the samestock geneti- cally, they are uniquely appropriate to serve as a comparison population and have, therefore, been used since 1957. trip was quite rough, since the ship was heading into the strong prevailing trade winds, but the steel room and equipment remained secure. The ship dropped anchor about 1000 yardsoff shore at Rongelap village. Onarrival, an outrigger canoe came alongside the ship with the Magistrate of the village, who came aboard. The objectives of ourvisit to Rongelap were discussed with him. and it was considered advisable co hold a village meeting so that the proposed examinations could be explained to the people and any questions they might have could be answered. 1961 Survey — Organization and Procedures The medical team consisted of six medical specialists, five from the United States and one from the Trust Territorv: one dentist from the Trust Territory; one Marshallese practitioner; and ten technicians. five from the United States andfive from the Trust Territory (Figure 2). The medical equipmenthad been sent out to the Islands prior to the team’s arrival, and pre- liminary preparations had been madeforlogistic support of the operation by the Navy Pacific Missile Range group and the Holmes and Narver contractors at Eniwetok. Before the survey at Rongelap, the team visited Kwajalein and Majuro for several days to carry out examinations on a number of Rongelap people who had moved to these islands. The Trust Territory provided a cargoship, the M/V Roque (Figure 5), to transport the team and to serve as a base of operations. In mid-March the ship proceeded from Majuro to Eniwetok, where the medical equipmentandthe 21-ton steel room for whole-body gamma measurements(Figure 6), which was stored there, were loaded on the ship. The onloadingof the latter was a difficult and exacting procedure, but was carried outremarkably smoothly by the Holmes and Narver personnel. The steel room and a wooden room to house the electronic equipment were placed in the cargo hold of the ship, and woodenstairs were installed for access into the hold. On completion of loadingthe ship, refueling, and taking on fresh water, the team boarded the ship and proceeded to Rongelap. The one-day During the village meeting, held in the Council House, the medical examinations to be conducted and the reasons for them were explained. The people expressed continued concern about the effects of fallout on their health, but to no greater extent than at meetings during past survevs. As in the past, they claimed that fish poisoning was related to the fallout, and said that certain fish have a black spot in their abdomens, which they believe to be due to radioactivity and to cause sickness in those eating such fish. It was again explained to them thatfish poisoning was in no way related to the fallout. A new complaint was that several families had developed inflammation and blistering of the mouth and upset stomachsfrom eating arrowroot flour whichtheyfelt was affected by fallout. It was explained thatthis type ofeffect has been noted in other islands when the flouris not properly prepared. They asked whether coco- nut crabs could be eaten yet and were told that these werestill not safe but that continuoustests would be carried out and that they would bein- formed whenthe crabs had reached a low enough level of contamination. This is the only item in their diet which they are forbidden to eat. Another complaint was that the coconuts were small and that certain changes had been notedin the coconut and pandanustrees which they believed resulted from fallout. Despite the above complaints the people were very friendly and cooperated with the examining team in all aspects of the examination thatfollowed. EXAMINATION FACILITIES Whole-body gamma spectroscopy was carried out in the cargo hold of the ship. The air-condi- 7 etReaceMD act SaetalaclaI I, Sigil oe a re=Ce