The Washington times., 1918-12-22

A little glass bottle, small enough to
be carried in the ordinary vest pocket
now has become one of the most cher
ished possessions Of hundreds OF
American seamen. At present they
are being provided only for men who
have been trained for a life at sea
by the United States Shipping Board
Recruiting Service, but Surg. Gen Ru-
pert Blue, head of the United States
Public Health Service, believes that
every American seaman should have
one. S--b'..
The little bottles contain passports
to good health-printed forms which,
properly filled out by the captain of
a ship, Will gain admittance for any
of his crew to United States marine
Public Health Service in every inn
portant port in the United States. And.
il a seaman is taken sick while on a
foreign voyage, the certificate will
provide hfm with the best OF medical
care, free of charge, on application to
the United States consular officer.
Heavy Fines Provided.
Every vessel flying the United
states flag and engaged in long voy-
ages is required to carry a chest of
medicines suitable for the treatment
OF. common ailments and injuries.
Heavy fines are imposed upon the
master or owners Of vessels failing
to comply with this provision.
To guard against scurvy, one of the
most dreaded troubles in the old days.
caused by long subsistence on salted
foods, sailing vessels bound out to-
day on long voyages must carry
liberal supplies of lime or lemon juice,
sugar and vinegar, to be given daily
to the crew within ten days after
salt provisions mainly have been
served out to them. ~,
Adequate hospital facilities aboard
Ship are also provided. The law re-
auires that in addition to the space
allotted for lodgings-which must be
roomy and well ventilated-all mer-
chant vessels of the United States,
which ordinarily make voyages of
more than three days duration be-
tween ports. and which carry no more
than twelve seamen, shall have a
suitable hospital compartment, with
at least one comfortable bunk for
every twelve seamep aboard.
II is in port. however. that the
new "sesmen's bottle" originated by
DR.. Louis w. Croke, medical director
Of the Shipping Board Recruiting Ser
vice, plays its part. A seaman in
need OF medical attention has merely
to dig the bottle out of his kit, bring,
the printed form which IT contains to
his captain, who will NIL IL out and
then go ashore to the nearest Federal
official.
Full directions for use OF the GER
tificate are printed on the red and
black label of the bottle. This GER
tificate, 1t reads, filled out and signed
by the master of your vessel is a pass
port to any Marine Hospital or relief
station of the Public Health Service.
These hospitals and relief stations
are located in the principal ports of
the United States. Ask the collector
of customs IL there is a Marine Hos
pital or relief station of the Public
Health Service in the port where you
are taken sick. II in foreign ports,
apply to the United States consuls.
Label Gives Directions.
The label, which bears the imprint.
OF the United States Shipping Board
Recruiting Service, also informs the
seafster that he is entitled to this
free hospital care. no matter what his
station aboard ship.
Not only are present-day Ameri-