The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan 6 August 1945. The immediate effect to this city was devastating and life altering. The landscape of the city was virtually obliterated. Short and long term medical effects were drastic. Psychological issues were also on the increase among survivors. The environmental effects, according to some in the scientific field, are still being dealt with today. The ultimate effect was the surrender of Japan. One of the reasons Hiroshima became the chosen target was because until this point none of the bombing raids in Japan had taken place here. Being largely untouched, it would be easier to monitor the effects the bomb had on the area. The decision was also made not to use radar, but instead
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High radiation exposure led to blindness, hair loss, bleeding, diarrhea, ulcers, vomiting, and fever, loss of white blood cells, delirium, coma and death. Other symptom included deterioration of bone marrow and mucous membranes. Intestines also showed acute inflammation. In those exposed, there was an increased rate of cancer, which included lymphoma, breast cancer, and malignant tumors. Leukemia in children quadrupled. After- effects of the radiation were said to have caused over 1,900 deaths. People that were near the center began to show signs of radiation illnesses within two to three days of exposure while those further out did not show signs for one to four weeks. Women that were pregnant at the time of the atomic bomb had a higher rate of miscarriages, birth defects, and death of infants. Many children were born with brains that were under developed. There was an unusually high rate of mental retardation, delayed development, and lowered IQ. Other physical effects included, but were not limited to, blindness, spinal bifida, and cleft palate. These children also were generally smaller in stature with smaller shoulders and girth. They were under weight and had smaller …show more content…
Vitamins, liver extract, and occasionally blood transfusions were about the extent. A large number died from secondary disease as a result of lowered resistance. The inadequate treatment and facilities no doubt led to many of the secondary deaths. It is estimated that with adequate treatment ten to twenty percent would have possibly survived. Survivors of the atomic bomb have been the longest studied group in health research. Immediately after the war, the U.S. government and the Japanese National Institute of Health established the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. In 1975 the responsibilities of this group were given to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, or RERF. According to the RERF cancers doubled with radiation exposure. Over the years it has been documented that one of the side effects was severe cataracts in those exposed to the radiation. With the lack of sanitary or medical systems, one would have expected a high outbreak of epidemics. It is speculated that these did not occur because the intense fires in essence disinfected the
High radiation exposure led to blindness, hair loss, bleeding, diarrhea, ulcers, vomiting, and fever, loss of white blood cells, delirium, coma and death. Other symptom included deterioration of bone marrow and mucous membranes. Intestines also showed acute inflammation. In those exposed, there was an increased rate of cancer, which included lymphoma, breast cancer, and malignant tumors. Leukemia in children quadrupled. After- effects of the radiation were said to have caused over 1,900 deaths. People that were near the center began to show signs of radiation illnesses within two to three days of exposure while those further out did not show signs for one to four weeks. Women that were pregnant at the time of the atomic bomb had a higher rate of miscarriages, birth defects, and death of infants. Many children were born with brains that were under developed. There was an unusually high rate of mental retardation, delayed development, and lowered IQ. Other physical effects included, but were not limited to, blindness, spinal bifida, and cleft palate. These children also were generally smaller in stature with smaller shoulders and girth. They were under weight and had smaller …show more content…
Vitamins, liver extract, and occasionally blood transfusions were about the extent. A large number died from secondary disease as a result of lowered resistance. The inadequate treatment and facilities no doubt led to many of the secondary deaths. It is estimated that with adequate treatment ten to twenty percent would have possibly survived. Survivors of the atomic bomb have been the longest studied group in health research. Immediately after the war, the U.S. government and the Japanese National Institute of Health established the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission. In 1975 the responsibilities of this group were given to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, or RERF. According to the RERF cancers doubled with radiation exposure. Over the years it has been documented that one of the side effects was severe cataracts in those exposed to the radiation. With the lack of sanitary or medical systems, one would have expected a high outbreak of epidemics. It is speculated that these did not occur because the intense fires in essence disinfected the