Williams news., 1917-11-15

0.UEyia,n c6t-NskedH HSX Follow the directions and advice of the officers over you and report the first symptoms of illness to the med ical officer.
 When on liberty conduct yourselves as gentlemen and do not lay yourself liable to diseases which may wreck your own lives and be communicated to others.
 "In the case of landing parties do not drink water promiscuously. Sack to the water in your canteens or to the sources of supply which have al | ready been tested and approved by the medical officers.
 Keep your quarters clean and do not allow matter to lie around which will attract flies or other insects. Pro tect yourself from flies and mosquitoes all you can, especially in tropical cli- mates"
 If the boys in the navy will follow these simple rules they should be healthy. They must aid and supple ment the work of the medical officers who will see to it that conditions are made and kept conducive to health
 A ship with its complement of sew era1 hundred men, sometimes more than 1000, is similar to small town having consideration for its water sup ply, sewage disposal, lighting of its passageways and living apartments, heating and ventilation of its living quarters, protection against epidemic diseases, maintenance of the general health of the community and general hygienic and sanitary matters.
 On board this ship there are officials who represent in a similar way the various officials of a town. The med ical officer, or officers, represents the board of health, the sanitary inspector, medical adviser and family physician He represents all the medical talent available to any community.
 No one with a friend or a relative in the navy need fear for the man. ner in which the men are cared for in such circumstances.
 Every morning there is "sick call" at which time those who feel indis- posed report to the proper officer. They are at once examined and disposed of according to their needs. Some are given medicine and return to work. Others may be treated in their quar- ters and still others are sent to the sick bay and put in clean beds under the care of trained male nurses.
 The medical department on board ship is established in generous space, which is specifically provided for and desirably located in the original plans of the vessel. In the larger vessels this space is divided into an examin- ing room, dispensary, operating room, bathroom and the sick bay, which cor responds to a hospital ward, and there is generally a small isolation room for contagious diseases.
 Should the patient become so i'll that he needs special care and quiet, he is transferred to the hospital ship which is in attendance on the fleet. Here the patients will be under medical of- ficers thoroughly equipped with all medical and surgical appliances, in- cluding X-ray machines and the most up-to-date apparatus. These hospitals are conducted after the manner of civilian institutions, the nursing stan consisting of a certain number of nurses of the nurse corps (women) and of the navy and hospital corps
 On board these hospital ships are medical officers who have specialized in different lines of work, so that no matter from what the patient suffers he is assured of the best medical and surgical care.
 In addition to the hospital ships the navy maintains 20 shore hospitals, which are among the finest and best equipped in any service.
 The duty of the line officer is to de stroy the enemy. The duty of the medical officer is to insure the physical fitness of the whole command, and, knowing the spirit which actuates the medical officer of the navy, l can do 10 more than say that as l have in trusted the health of my own son so would I advise others implicitly to thrust their sons to the care of the nen who guard his health should he enlist in the navy.