THE AMERICAN COMMUNITY LOOKS AT CIVIL DEFENSE

Journal Article · Wed May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1963 · N. Y. State J. Med.

OSTI ID:4066098

Leroy, G V

Responsibilities of physicians in preparation for a nuclear attack are outlined. The effectiveness of each doctor in such emergency would be clearly related, first, to the extent to which he has prepared himself, and second, to the effectiveness of the larger organizition of emergency health services of which he is necessarily a part. It is suggested that adequate civil defense measures may increase the chances of survival to more than 30 to 1. It is pointed out that physicians are uniquely qualified to counteract some of the apathy, indifference, and pessimism based on ignorance that characterizes the reaction of the average citizen to civil defense. Adequately trained and properly organized, the American medical profession could report truthfully that it was prepared for whatever disaster might come and that it would perform its traditional services faithfully and efficiently. Initial medical treatment of Japanese survivors of atomic bombing is discussed. Aid stations were established which were poorly organized but which managed to provide first aid. Each aid station cared for approximately 2000 to 4000 casualties during the first two weeks. ln each station there were at the most one or two doctors, and only about 200 doctors were active at any one time in caring for casualties at Hiroshima where the toll was from 60,000 to 80,000. Bette organization and planning should make it possible for each doctor to treat 5 to 10 times as many people as was the case in Japan After the detonation of a 1-Mt bomb over a modern urban area of several hundred square miles, the number of casualties able to reach aid stations might be as great as 500,000, and the number of dead outright might be another half million. The areas involved would include a central area of total destruction of 50 mi/sup 2/ and the area with serious casualties requiring care about 200 mi/sup 2/. An area of this size has a circumference of about 60 mi, and except at the downwind sector the intensity of fallout radiation at any point on the periphery should not exceed 30 r/hr at H plus one hr. To this periphery the casualties would come or be transported, and about this periphery could be located emergency medical facilitics. Backing up the mobile emergency stations on the periphery of bombed areas there would be the undamaged hospital system. A fraction of the medical profession must serve in the aid stations, and another portion in the hospitals providing definitive and specialized care for the casualties. Another, smaller, portion would have to be administrators, assistin civil defense commanders, assigning emergency units, assigning hospital beds, supervising medical supply, and engaging in public health activities. Organization of physician within local units is discussed (BBB)

• Research Organization: Univ. of Chicago
• NSA Number: NSA-18-016245
• OSTI ID: 4066098
• Journal Information: N. Y. State J. Med., Journal Name: N. Y. State J. Med. Vol. Vol: 63
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACCIDENTS
BUILDINGS
CIVIL DEFENSE
ENVIRONMENT
FALLOUT
HEALTH AND SAFETY
LETHAL DOSE
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PERSONNEL
PLANNING
POPULATIONS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION PROTECTION
SAFETY
TRANSPORT
WIND
ZONES