The Dolores star., 1917-10-26

ArNEy1.,w cAt,.G,fsaNSH
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. Stick
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 files and mosquitoes
all you can. especially in tropical cli-
mates."
II 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 vii! see to 1t that conditions are
made and kept conducive to health.
A ship with its complement Of sew
eral 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 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. Il
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 examiped and dispose6 Of
according to their needs. Some are
given medicine and return to work.
Others may be treated In their quar-
tiers 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 a 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 hospital ward, and there
Is generally small isolation room
for contagious diseases.
Should the patient become so Ill that
he needs special care and quiet, he is
transferred to the hospital ship which
Is In attendance on the feet. Here
the patients will be under medical Of
fcers thoroughly equipped with all
medical and surgical appliances, in
Guiding X-ray machines and the most
u1-tV>UulC uPR0Ad AACcC AOSplkaAo
are conducted after the manner, of
civilian institutions, the nursing staff
consisting of 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. 1 can do
no more than say that as I have in
trusted the health of my own son SO
would I advise others implicitly to
intrust their sons to the care Of the
men who guard his health should he
enlist in the navy.