An outline of the acute effects of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs are
summarized, based on documentary records. Acute injuries caused by the atomic bombs
have been classified as thermal, mechanical, and radiation injuries. Combinations of these
were most common. Many died from the immediate effects of blast and burns, but individuals
often succumbed to trauma or burns before the radiation syndrome developed. Many more
would have died from irradiation, had they been saved from the effects of trauma or burns …

The studies of radiation leukemogenesis in atomic bomb survivors is reviewed. Leukemia ap
peared early and was one of the most striking evident somatic effects of radiation in atomic
bomb survivors. Leukemogenic effects of radiation vary by quality and quantity of radiation
dose, age at the time of exposure, elapsed time after exposure and type of leukemia.
Although the risk of leu kemia in atomic bomb survivors is now greatly reduced with elapsed
time after exposure, there is no evidence that the risk of leukemia has returned to control …

Cogan et a122)(1952) reported in their study of 20 cases of radiation-induced cata racts, 10
of which were attributed to the ionizing radiation of the atomic bombs, that the findings were
identical. They described the clinical characteristics of radiation cata racts as having (1) a
doughnut-shaped configuration ophthalmoscopically, and (2) an opacity with a sharply
demarcated anterior boundary and bivalved configuration, on slit lamp biomicroscopy.