The Bomb and Babies
1 Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616
Pediatricians, perhaps more than most physicians, are daily involved with preventive medicine. As we give immunizations, provide anticipatory guidance, or aid new mothers in breast-feeding, we are acting on our commitment to foster the growth and development of children into healthy, productive adults. A threat looms over us, however, that would negate in minutes all of our efforts the threat of "the last epidemic," the threat of a nuclear war. The medical consequences of nuclear war and the ineffectiveness of any medical response have been well described.1,2




