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om he
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:
Ee cee Emenee te Mies tes
12
were obtained with the electronic Coulter, which
again proved to be a verysatisfactory instrument
for examinationsofthis type in the field. Differential counts were performed in the usual manner
after staining with Wright’s fluid. Platelet counts
were done by phase microscopy. Hemoglobin was
determined by the cyan-hemoglobin technique
with the Lumitron colorimeter, but only 49 determinations were possible because of breakdown of
the Lumitron. Hematocrits were obtained by the
microhematocrit method. Reticulocyte counts
were carried out in 16 people who had low hemoglobin values. Serum proteins were determined
with the Hitachi refractometer. Blood and serum
samples for certain studies to be described below
werecollected and kept underrefrigeration and
finally shipped back for study.
Urine Analysis
Routine urine analyses were done on almost all
people receiving physical examinations. These in-
cluded determinations of protein and hyperglu-
cosuria by reagent paper strips. *
Serum Examinations for Calcium,
Phosphorus, and Protein Bound lodine
These studies were carried out in six of the chil-
dren in the exposed group of the growth and development study.**
*Combistix, Ames Company, Inc., Elkhart, Indiana.
**We are grateful to Drs. D.D. Van Slyke and L.V. Hankes of
LL
Law
4
ern
ae
Cf
eo
this Laboratoryfor carrving out these determinations.
Radionuclide Body Burden Evaluation
The methods used in the radionuclide body
burden evaluation are described later in a separate
section.
Results and Discussion
The census of Rongelap people in March 1961
was 334, of which 81 were in the exposed group
(including 4 children exposed imutero at the time of
the accident); 33 were children of exposed parents,
and 220 were unexposed people; Table 1 shows
their location. In Table 2 the population is broken
downaccording to percent distribution in various
age groups and compared with that of the Marshall Islands as a whole for 1948-1950 andofthe
United States for 1960. The table also shows the
median age. The lower median age of the Marshallese would tend to support the impression that
their life span is shorter than that of people in the
continental United States, but there has been a
“population explosion” in those islands which
might account for this discrepancy.
“We are grateful to Mrs. Ruth Saart of South Nassau Com-
munities Hospital, Rockville Centre, L.I., N.Y., for carrying out
the serum iron determinations.
nena
ann
ie
Complete routine blood counts were carried out
with repeat counts on any persons showing abnormalities. White blood counts and red blood counts
PTCemgnmreestieme ee ie
Hematological Examinations
In previous surveys extensive studies have been
made on certain genetically inherited characteristics such as blood groupings, haptoglobin and
transferrin, hemoglobin types, glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenaseactivity of red cells, B-amino-zsobutyric acid excretion, etc. One type of gamma
globulin had not been previously studied in the
Rongelap people, and 149 sera were collected during this survey for determination of the Gm type
of gammaglobulin. The determinations were carried out by Dr. A.G. Steinberg of Western Reserve
University and his collaborators and reported
along with the same observations on other populations;* the methods used werealso reported.
ee mmemenmey
LABORATORY PROCEDURES
Serum Gamma Globulin Studies
eee ae
Dental examinations were carried out on most
of the people on theisland, particularly those requiring dental attention.
Serum iron determinations were performed in
the 16 people who were found to have an anemic
tendency to see whetherdeficiency of this element
might be responsible.*
ee
DENTAL SURVEY
Serum Iron
[itnensetintenicniiemmie! ne Mee “te
scores into 5-year age groups was done to reduce
possible errors due to the uncertainty of the exact
age of some individuals.