HEMATOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE A-BOMB SURVIVORS IN NAGASAKI (THE 4TH REPORT)

Abstract

Hematological examination (hemoglobin, wbc count and wbc differential) of the A-bomb survivors within 2000m from the bomb centre in Nagasaki were performed from February to March 1956. The number of survivors examined were 3234 and the number of the controls who were simultaneously examined were 1607. They were classified in 18 groups by sex, age and acute radiation symptoms (A-with major radiation symptoms, B-without major radiation symptoms, C-controls).
Within each age group, individuals were distributed according to deviations from normal values, the respective ranges being defined for each type of blood cells as indicated in the accompanying tables. One series of chi square was computed to test the differences in deviations from normal values between A, B, and C in 1956 and another series of the same tests was made for the differences between 1953 and 1956 in A, B, and C respectively.
1) The recovery from anemia and the decrease in eosinophilia are remarkable in A and B groups in 1956 comparing with 1953, subsquently there are no significant differences between the exposed and the controls in 1956.
2) Differences between A, B, and C in 1956 are also not significant for wbc count, monocytes and lymphocytes.
3) So it may be concluded that the hematopoietic injuries by the A-bomb radiation is restored to an almost normal condition in 1956, so far as concerning the peripheral blood pictures.