2.4
Introduction
Wen THe Exposes groups were first seen at
Kwajalein after evacuation from their native
atolls. the amount of radiation they liad. re
ceived was not known wth certamty
It was
Kor
desions
epilation. granuloevtopenia and
The skin lesions were first
reerved between the i2th and 14th post-exposare days. These lesions were most prevalent
Hh Onbocs topenia.
known, however, from. nstrument readings
taken at the sites of "he farlont and from: moni
toring all individuals, that a significant amount
of penetrating irradiation to the entire bods
had been received and that extensive contamina
»orroups [und (1 but were present to a slight
extent oa Crroup TET. Details of the skin svmp-
tion of radioactive materiais nad occurred. “Che
levree developed i many individuals of Groups
evaluation of dosage isee ntroduction). Even
if the precise dose nad heen known it would
lnrapeutic neasares for potential sequelae of
hese cellular deficiencies,
5 view of the conflicting opinions about the
ane of prophylactic and therapeutic measures
ah as antibiotics and whole blood transfusions
tion of the skin and possible mrernal deposi
nature of the irradiating matertal and the cir
cumstances of exposure orevented i. prec se
not have been possible ro predict the viological
effects since the quantitative response of man
isnot known. According!y, x complete medical
history and physical examination Was obtained
on each individual and sumerous follow ay
examinations were carried out. In addition,
routine sick-cail was hele twice daily and on
spection of the skin ef ail ndividuals was made
aut frequent intervals.
Medical care was avail
able at all times. Hospira facilities were avail
able at the Kwajalein Nava Dspensary, and
support by the more »xtensive snedical facriities
of the TS. Pacific Fleer had seen oromised
if needed.
From description: of the umount of faliou'
material and from radioa rivity measurements
it was apparent that Crroup | Rongelapy bad
received the highest doses of radiation, Group
IT (.Ailinginae) ane Grreup T1f > Americans
in intermediate amount and Croup TY i Ue mk
the least. From physical sios:metry re waslater
estimated that Group I } ad reeerved approX
mately 175 r of gamma radiation: Crroup 1,
69 rz Group TIT. Ts round Group iV. ier
The most serious clinieai tnd Jaboratery nia i
festations of irradiation appeared on Group
and TT. The only apnormal tres that could be
attributed with certat cy
te
re adertion
wore
opis
and desions and their treatment are re-
jocted at Chapter 3. Details of hematologic
tidies are presented in Chapter TV. Granuoostopera ind thromboevtopenia of marked
ind TE and was of sufficient severity to warait serigus consideration of prophylactic and
che treatment of radiation disease (1-5), it
vas ctecided that therapy would be instituted
ms
ois indteated clinically for specific condi-
lois as they arose. In order to determine the
effect of che internal deposition of radioactive
natemadon the course of the externally induced
acdation onyursy, if Was necessary to determine
he aegree cf internal radioactive contamina10,
Detans of the measurement of internal
lepos,. tion of radionuclides are considered in
}
peter "
opftrc bert on
acienuchides
It is sutficient to state here that the
from the internally deposited
to
the
total
acute
dose
was
rs ore runt
2.'
Symptoms and Signs Related to
Radiation Injury
sh opkaAr Syoproms Tirvr developed during the
ist reve days could be attributed to radiation.
Phose svniptoms were associated with the skin
rot fhe @ostrommfestinal tract,
tehing ard barning of the skin occurred in
~oercen
oof Croup |
Rongelapo, 20 percent
lo