Bomb Shelters and Nuclear Bombs

Abstract

To the Editor:— We of the medical profession have devoted our lives to curing and preventing disease wherever possible. As a group, we are most sincere in what we do—we try to help man live longer and without pain and anguish. Yet as a group, we express ourselves less and seem to care less about radiation and the horrible possibilities of nuclear war. I am sure that most physicians believe that bomb shelters are next to ridiculous. Most believe that continuous pollution of the air, soil, and water will result in increased incidence of leukemia, bone sarcoma, and carcinoma. Now that radioactive iodine is increased, pathology of the thyroid will increase. It is well known that genes are affected by radiation; yet we physicians, as a group, are the most silent segment of society when we ought to be the most voluble, because it is with the health of mankind