ATOMIC BOMB ATTACKS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26078, 3 April 1950, Page 7

ATOMIC BOMB ATTACKS

medical facilities REQUIRED

TASK FACING DEFENCE PLANNERS

(Rec. 9 p.m ) WASHINGTON, April 1. *XI efence planners have estimated that one week’s medical supples necessary to. deal with the survivors of an atomic bomb attack upon an American city, comparable to Hiro- • w 9dld HU 200 railway trucks. The estimate was given in testimony before the Joint Congressional Atomic Energy Committee by. officials of the National Security Resources Board. Dr. Norvin Kiefer, director of the Health Resources division of the board, told the committee that the Hiroshima experience demonstrated that abouf 60 per cent, of the casualties from an atomic bomb attack would be bum cases. Thousands of Physiciaris and nurses would have to be mobilised and rushed to the stricken* area.

At least 250,000 pints of whole blood, or blood derivatives, would have to be sent to the bombed city within a week. An atomic .attack would make 50 to 90 per cent, of hospitals in the area unuseapje. Haff the casualties might not be able to reach even first-aid stations by themselves. Emergency hospitals would have to function without light and power, and it would be necessary to bring water from outside the stricken area. “We have been aware of all these staggering difficulties for well over a year, during which time we have been working on the most effective means of solving them,” Dr. Kiefer said. “It is a slow, deliberate process—not because of a lack of appreciation of war-time dangers, not because of a lack of co-operation from other agencies. not because of the unavailability of professional competence—but because the problem is too huge. “The decisions Jo be made are ■»too important to allow for hasty or haphazard planning.” ■ The survey had shown. Dr. Kiefer said, that a major atomic bomb attack would find the country with,/first, inadequate numbers of all types of health workers; secondly, severe shortages of health supplies;, thirdly, serious shortages of hospital facilities; and. fourthly, the possibility that transportation to the stricken area would be seriously disrupted.