Because of the safety precautions taken, the safety record of the United States atomic industry has been very good. There have been so few serious detectable radiation injuries that it is not easy to get physicians and hospitals interested in planning for and care of radiation casualties. With rapid expansion of nuclear industry more radiation casualties may be expected, simply because more people are at risk. An accident resulting in uncontrolled release of fission products could result in some degree of panic unless there is more basic planning by hospitals and more basic knowledge is attained by physicians, allied personnel, and others concerned with rescue and care. Some basic information is given and references listed for more in-depth study to try to help meet this need which has been emphasized by the US Atomic Energy Commission.