The herald., 1917-11-08

" lTI/L5IT {. D/SL5teC, UOH
Follow the directions and advice OF
the officers over you and report the
first symptoms of illness To the med
zeal 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 ease 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 10 lie around which
will attract flies or other insects. Pro
tect yourself from flies and mosquitoes
all you can, especially in tropical eli
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 II that conditions are
made and kept conducive 10 health.
A ship with lis complement Of sev-
cral hundred men. sometimes more
than 1000 is similar 10 q small town,
having consideration for its water sup
ply. sewage disposal. lighting of lis
IasSageways 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 Il similar way the
various officials of 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 IL 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-
tiers and still others are sent TO tine
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
desirR5ly 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 n hospital ward, and there
Is generally small isolation room
for contagious diseases.
Should the patient become so III 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
ficers thoroughly equipped with all
and surgical appliances, in
N-ray machines and the most
up-to-date apparatus. These hospitals
are conducted after the manner Of
civilian institutions. the nursing staff
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 10 de-
stroy the enemy. The duty of the
medical officer is to insure the physical
illness of the whole command. and.
the spirit which nctuates the
medical officer Of the navy, can DO
40 more than say that as have in
trusted the health of my own son 80
would advise others implicitly to
ntrust their sons to the care Of the
men who guard his health should he
enlist In the navy.