New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-02
MARINE MEDICAL sERyICE.

The attention recently attracted in England
to the position of ship surgeons and the neces-
sity for radical revision of the medical and
sanitary departments Of the mercantile marine
appears likely to result in some action by the
Board of Trade looking to the appointment OF
medical officers as officials of the British Gov
eminent, responsible to the Government alone.
The ground taken by DR.. Richard Irwin at
meeting of the Manchester Medco-Ethical As
ISOLATION led to the passage OF resolution re-
duesting Government inquiry into the status and
efficiency OF surgeons upon passenger ships and
this request has been taken up by the leading
medical journals of Great Britain This is, of
course subject in which Americans are deeply
interested, nasmuch az we furnish the bulk OF
the cabin passengers between this country and
England. while it is also matter OF Importance
that the thousands of immigrants yearly coming
here should land in satisfactory sanitary con-
dition.
Now we find that there were 2,51S deaths
among the l, jG3, GA passengers to New-i ork
during the ten years ended December, 1850,
and ls5 deaths among the 3l5,S50 persons
who sailed on English ships for this country last
wear. All the emigrants underwent three sepa-
and were rated as perfectly healthy. On this
account therefore il is considered that n NOR
tally in transit fully equal to the rate among a
stationary population is much higher than can
be Justified. The key of the trouble appears to
be that Government supervision ends with the
embarkation of passengers, to begin again only
at their landing. During transit there Is no
sanitary authority but that of the captain and
the surgeon, the latter Of whom is dependent
upon the ship owners for employment, and, as
DR.. Irwin properly states, can never be an indie
pendent guardian of the health of passengers
when their needs conflict with the money in
terests Of his employer. The rates of remun-
Grafton for the ship surgeon are too contempt
lille TO attract capable and experienced men.
These rates vary from Go to ElO n month, and
on one line where the surgeon receives 80 n
month we are told that he Is forced to "sign
articles" ut one shilling month, the remaining
Gs 9S. being held in allegiance as "A form of Sc
curity for his giving satisfaction In every way
to his employers. The surgeon has no control
over the ventilation and sanitary condition of
the ship. Such matters are left to the captain,
who is apparently expected to come forward
and accuse himself and his employers. A
searching examination into such matters is I'M
dOubtedly needed.
1t seems to be the opinion of competent sanl-
tarians and of leading medical publications in
England that the evidence which has already
been brought out justifits the Board of Trade
in asking Parliament for power to institute
Marine Medical Service and to take under its
direction the sanitary administration OF Atlantic
emigrant steamers. The matter, as we have said,
is one appealing forciblI to Americans, especially
at the present time, In view Of the speedy be-
ginning of tho usual immense transatlantic
travel Additional legislation by Congress- will
be necessary, and it appears important that some
clear understanding should be reached on this
matter with the English Government. No ship
owners really anxious to provide the best pos
sibe safeguards for the health of their passen-
gers could object seriously to a DISTINGUISHED
Government control of the Marine Medical Ser
vice. and it would seem that this offers tie sur
est means of securing an efficient, authoritative
and thorough sanitary management upon pas
senger vessels.