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FINDINGS
Living Conditions
During the past year the Rongelap inhabitants
have become well adjusted to life in their new
village, which was completely rebuilt, with well
constructed houses far superior to the old ones.
An interesting sidelightis that some of the people,
particularly the older ones, prefer to live beneath
their houses, probably because it is cooler and they
prefer not to climb thesteps.
During the 8 monthssince the people returned,
copra production was being satisfactorily re-established, but it had not reached full capacity. The
establishment of an agricultural program wasproceeding disappointingly slowly. At this writing it
is understood that the Trust Territory is sending
a full-time agriculturist to implementthis program.
Adequate water is available on Rongelap from
the concrete water catchment cisterns from the
roofs of nearlyall the houses. Flies are quite prevalent. Most of the people still cook outdoors rather
than in the screened cook-houses built for them.
Scraps of food around the cooking area probably
predispose towardflies. The screened-in latrines
are a big improvement, and it is hoped that the
children will make greater use of them. This point
has been emphasizedto the people in order that
intestinal parasites may be better controlled. The
istand is heavily infested with rats and somesort
of extermination program is indicated.
The diet is extremely limited in variety, althoughcaloric intake appears to be adequate. The
chief source of carbohydrate is rice and a small
amount of flour. Protein is derived largely from
fish with an occasional supplement of canned
meat. Thefat intake is mostly from coconut meat.
Vitamins are obtained mainly from coconuts,
pandanus (when available), and fish. In view of
the importance of diet in relation to certain puzzling clinical laboratory findings, the following
more detailed information is presented.
Fish is the main source of protein. It is eaten
fresh, dried, or salted, several times weekly and
canned meats, corned beef is well liked as well as
salmon and sardines. About one can (perhaps
two) is eaten weekly per person. Other meats include pigs and chickens which run loose on the*
island and are eaten on rare occasions. Clams
(particularly the giant clams) are eaten when they.
can be found; however, they are not plentiful now.
Landcrabs are considered a delicacy, but eatin
them is forbidden at this time because oftheir
high Sr’’ level. (This is the only forbidden dietary
item.)
local plant products. Coconuts arc an important
item of the diet, eaten green or ripe. About three
green coconuts per day are consumedperperson,
both milk and meat. Ripe coconut is eaten with
meals either as such or grated onto rice andfish.
Pandanvsis available during the summerandfall.
Thefruit is eaten raw by sucking the sweetjuice
from the fibrous segments. The juice is also
squeezed out and used to flavor arrow root flour
and to make a candy knownas “‘jenkum.”’ This:
fruit is probably a major source of vitamin A and
possibly C. Arrowroofis grated to form a starchy
flour, which is cooked into a mushy, tapioca-like
material. It is available principally in the winter
months. Breadfruif, a starchy fruit, is not abundant
on Rongelap but is eaten when available. Rice,
rsesremee
ninth
mriee itie’s
salt, sugar, flour, tea, and canned meats are imported. Rice is a mainstay eaten three times a day.
Sugaris used to sweeten tea. A little salt is used in
cooking rice and bread, butis usually in short supply and is rarely used on prepared food. Bread
and pancakes are frequently eaten.
Interval Medical History
The general health of the Rongelapese has been
good during this past vear. Six children (4 exposed and 2 unexposed) presumably hadinfectious
hepatius during November and December 1957.
No other major epidemics or diseases were reported. Abdominal pain and diarrhea were among
the commonest complaints, and were probably
associated with the eating of food kept several days
without refrigeration. The large number offlies
mayalso play a part in the prevalence ofthis condition. A complaint of night blindness of several
months duration among 10 children and 1 adult
was investigated and is reported below. Common
colds, fungus infections of the skin, and impetigo
EP
dures used ‘and the results will be described below.
frequently daily. A great deal moreis eaten fresh
than otherwise. The liver is included. Among
emt.
data on these counts as well as considerable medical equipment werelost in the Pacific Ocean when
the cargo had to bejettisoned from a plane which
developed engine trouble. A return trip to Rongelap Island was made two months later (May
1958), and¥about 100 Rongelap people were again
counted inthe steel room. Details of the proce-