known, the uncertainty of their future health that is just as real
to them as was their exposure, dislocation, and repatriation.
In
the three yeac report, there was some discussion of the "psychic
effects" of the irradiation.
The passage discussed the differences
between the trauma of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the “relative calm
and rapid adjustment" which the Marshallese exhibited in adapting
to their new situations.
This discussion concluded that,
"There
was little real concern expressed about their radiation exposure.
It would seem therefore,
in the case of the exposed Marshallese that
there has been little or no apparent psychic effect of this momentous
event."
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The Committee agrees that the experience of the Marshallese cannot and does not compare to that of the Japanese, who,
in addition
to witnessing the death and destruction of the bomb, also lost friends,
relatives and even whole families.
However,
as to the “uncertain
feeling," which is held by all of these people,
the Committee feels
that the people of Rongelap and Utirik share an equal amount of
anxiety, if not more than the Japanese, not only because of the uneasiness about the future, but because of another factor which will
be discussed below.
Information, Communication,
and Culture
Mr, Oshi stated that he felt satisfied with the annual examinations conducted by Dr. Kumatori.
The BNL three year report indicated
that the Rongelapese and Utirikese had shown little concern about
their exposure.
While these two statements would seem to be in
158
Ws our