A RADIOACTIVE PIG

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 July 1946, Page 7

A RADIOACTIVE PIG

SURVIVOR OF BIKINI BOMB - TEST ATTEMPT TO SAVE LIFE NEW YORK, July 18. “Pig 311” —a walking mass of radioactive meat —may become the greatest animal hero of atomic medicine. He is the sole survivor of the atom bomb blast on the sunken Japanese cruiser Sakawa in the recent Operation Crossroads, and is one of more than 3000 animals affected by radioactive rays. The Sakawa was terribly hit by the full force of the bomb. The pig was found swimming 24 hours after the ship sank. His age is relatively that of a young man of 20 —who might stay afloat as long as that.

Pig 311 has had'three doctors in attendance. He has had penicillin and strange liquids, but his symptoms remain a military secret.

If Pig 311 were in a butcher’s shop his meat would probably seem the same, but scientists claim that they could demonstrate that the chops would be made up of less pork and mere carbon. Even the bones should contain strontium —used in fireworks —and oilier elements not usually in bones. Pig 311 should be suffering from blood and bone marrow malaise, fever, loss of appetite, and internal and external bleeding.

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR GOATS SAN FRANCISCO, July 18. The goats which died at Bikini will be honoured with a memorial service on July 21, complete with a eulogy, the half-masting of the flag, and drum taps. The president of the San Fernando Valley Goat Association, which is sponsoring the ceremony, said: “We do not believe scientific interests are i furthered by saqrificing domestic I animals which have acheived such j good for humanity as the goat.”