39
for all age group? relatuvely low figure com-
age 34, died of a genitourinary infection complicating diabetes even though she (along with the
other cases) had been placed on oral therapy with
Orinase (tolbutamid tablets}. (It was later found
pared with that4er Japanese and American
societies.
Thyroid Metabolism
that these patients did not take the tablets con-
Table 24 shows results of protein bound iodine,
sistently.)
Table 26 compares the mortality from aiabetes
total igdine, and butanol extractable iodine deter-
minations. The 12 samples obtained in 1959
showed values definitely lower than the 1938
in the United States“ and the Marshall Islands.
The incidence appears higher in the Marshall
Islands and on Rongelap Island (based on its
small population). It should be noted that, since
values, although several readings were stull some-
what high. It was thought that the high 1958
levels must have been due to contaminated glass-
only routine urine examinations were done on the
Rongelap people, the incidence of diabetes may
actually be higher. The greater incidence of deaths
ware inspite of the great care taken to maintain
strict cleanliness.
due to diabetes in the Marshall Islands than in the
United States in 1956 and 1957*" is statistically
significant (0.0L->p >0.001).
Glucosuria
On routine urine analysis during the 1959 survey one male and four females (all in the unexposed group) were found to have glucosuria: all
but one of these also had an elevated fasting blood
sugar level* (see Table 25). These individuals
were considered to have mild diabetes mellitus.
Later during the year one of these cases (854, F,
gram of levels for both years was plotted against
white blood count, since it has been shownthat tn
leukemia the white cells have a higher B,, binding
*We are grateful to Dr. W.W. Fennel at Kwajalein for having
the blood sugar analyzed.
—
NTa
Analysis of the 15 serum samples obtained in
1959 again showed, as in 1958, vitamin B,, levels”
slightly higher than normal. The mean value was
714 ug/ml, with a range of 312 to 1500. A scattێr-
~~. 7
Serum Vitamin B,,
Y
Tabie 23
Results of ComplementFixation Tests on Rongelap People, 1959, by Age and Sex
(Positive Reactions of Serum Dilutions 1-10)
Avs
Z
No.in FluA
FluB
age
group No.
% No.
%
Long
HA 1
HA 2
CA
(Respiratory
(Parainfluenza3) (Parainfluenza 1) (Parainfluenza 2) syncitial, CCA)
No.
Fo
No.
%
No.
Adeno
“t
No.
%
No.
I
1
t
>
6
I4
6
35
38
30
i4
16
10
82
67
50
2
3
26
430
40
«66
2
L
1
5
+
5
3
33
29
29
3
6
L5
29
32.
63
+
+1
37
72
LGV
(Psittacosis
OF
Mumps
group)
(Q fever)
% No.
%
No.
%
No. %
2
6
12
25
1
3
1
6
13
5
2
2.
1
12
68
5
8
#13
~=65
8
5
8
100
92
52 3
53.5
14
29
1
1
3
8
3
16
|
8
8
16
3
10
1
2
64 lo
14
10
9
6
5
Females
l- 5
6-13
16-40
>40
0
17
24
20
Total
| 61
4
+
17
20
9
7
38
35
8
19
16
47
79
80
13.
16
26
43
70
9)
Males
a)
6-15
16-40
> 40
i
12
2
7
]
4
6
Total
51
11
8
19
35
2
8
12
1
38
71
11
18
14
92
86
B2
22 22
43
43
84
0
1
11
tt
Females Plus Males
Total
112
19
17 38
34
86
77
0
3