6
tion must be exercised in evaluating the results of
these studies on genetically inherited character-
istics because of the small number of samples
tested. The data do seem to indicate relative
homogeneity of the population andclosest kinship
with people of Southeast Asia. These dataalso
may beuseful as a base line should genetic changes
appearin later generations, possibly related to
radiation exposure.
Results of other laboratory studies included the
following: Serum protein levels were generally on the
high side of normal; electrophoretic patterns
showed theincrease in proteins was largely due
to an increase in the gammaglobulin fraction. The
reasonfor this is not apparent. Numerouschronic
infections may be an explanation. —
Sodium levels in the urine and food indicated
about the same consumption of NaCi as in Americans. The generally lower incidence of hypertension in the Marshallese might be related to the
fact that the formernative diet was probabhy lower
in salt content than the present, more westernized
diet. It will be interesting to see whetherthe incidence of hypertension will later increase.
Serum cholesterol levels (1957, 1959) were some-
cases with eosinophilia showed no helminthic infectionsat all suggests that other factors besides
parasitic infections must be responsible. The eosinophilia maybe related to chronic fungus and other
infections, particularly of the skin.
Complementfixation studies for parainfluenza1, 2,
and 3, respiratory syncitial, psittacosis, and fever showedantibodiesto all groups of viruses except that for Asian influenza, which probably had
not vet seriously involved the people of the Marshall Islands. The antibody titers appeared to be
somewhat lowerin 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 barrier made examinations
difficult, since very little English is spoken bythe
Marshallese. However, there were sufficient English-speaking Marshallese to assist the medical
team in most instances.
Serum creatinine levels (1937) were in the normal
2. The lack of vital statistics or demographic
data on the Marshallese imposed a serious difficulty in interpretation and evaluation of the medical data. Recorcls of births, deaths. etc.. have been
made bythe health aides or magistrates of the villages and supposedly forwarded to the district ad-
Serum vitamin B,, concentrations (1958, 1959)
complete or lost in most instances, and vitalstatis-
what lowerin the exposed population thanin the
comparison of Utirik populations, but were in the
low normal range. No abnorally lowreadings
were noted. —
range with no abnormallevels noted.
were generally significantly higher than American
levels. The possibility of contamination of the samples with bacteria producing vitamin B,, must be
considered, since myeloproliferative and liverdis-
eases were not seen.
Serum protein bound iodine levels (1957, 1959) were
generally slightly elevated. Evidence for thyroid
dysfunction was not apparentin the people.
Glucosuria and elevated blood sugar were foundin
4 unexposed individuals, which indicated a rather
high incidence of diabetes.
A survey for intestinal parasites (1958) showed
73% 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 Trichurts trichtura, 34.3%.
Eosinophilia >5% has consistently been noted
in about half the people. The fact that half the
ministrator; however, such records have been in-
tics are therefore inadequate. Trust Territory
officials are now attemptingto assemble such data.
3. There is uncertainty on the part of some of
the Marshallese as to their exact ages, particularly
amongthe older group. This imposes certain difficulties in interpreting someof the studies to be
outlined.
COMPARISON POPULATIONS
During the first 2 years, two separate groups of
Marshallese people were used for comparison,
each of comparable size to the exposed Rongelap
group and matched for age and sex. However,this
population was found to be unstable, with a large
attrition rate over the 2 years, which madeit un-
satisfactory. At the time of the 3-year survey,it
was found that during the preceding 12 months
the Rongelap population at Majuro Atoll had