The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1919-01-09
KEEPS WATCH ON
SEAMEN'S HEALTH
Uncle Sam Will Take Good Care
of His Merchant
Crews.
SEAMAN'S BOTTLE IS LATEST
Contains Passports to Good Health by
Providing Free Hospital Treat
ment Anywhere-Days OF the
Dogs Life Now History.

logs Lie NO" f1IStOFy.
i WashingtOn.-Uncle Sam is getting
more watchful of the health of his
merchant crews as the great American
/ peace-time fleet continues to grow.
The latest innovation Of the United
States shipping board in the "seaman's
bottle" which has now become one Of
| the cherished possessions of hundreds
of American seamen.
This little glass bottle, small enough
to be carried in the vest pocket, con-
tains passports to good health-print-
ed forms which, when filed out by a
ships captain, will gain admittance for
the holder to any United States ma
rine hospital or relief station of the
public health service in every impor-
tant port in the United States. On
foreign voyage the application will pro-
vide the seaman with the best medical
care, free of charge, on application to
the United States consular officer.
At present the bottle is being pro-
vided only for men who have been
trained for sea career by the recruit
ing service of the shipping board, but
in the opinion of Surgeon General
Blue every American seaman should
have one.
1t is in port that the new i'seaman's
bottle" which was originated by DR..
Louis w. Croke, medical director of
the shipping board recruiting service,
plays its chief part. A seaman in need
Of medical attention has merely to dig
the bottle out of his kit, bring the
printed form to his skipper to be filled
out and then go ashore to the nearest
federal official.
Free Hospital Care.
The label which bears the imprint of
the boards recruiting service informs
the seafarer that he is entitled to free
hospital care no matter what his sta
ton aboard ship. The term "seamen,"
1t says. means not only the men who
are employed on deck but persons EN-
ployed on board in the care, preserva-
ton or navigation of the ship, and it
even includes those who are in the
service, on board, of those engaged in
such care, preservation or navigation.
When discharged by the medical au-.
thorities the American seaman is.s
given free passage to the port from
which he originally signed, unless the
articles provide for discharge else (
where, or if in a foreign port to some
port in the United States. He must
serve on board the ship on which his
has been arranged if possible.
The .aseaman's bottle" not only will
Impress upon Americans who are going
to sea the privileges to which they are l
entitled as seamen Of the United
States but will preserve the certificate
and keep it clean.
Years ago, in the days of the clipper
ship, and even since that time, the sick
Or disabled American sailor at sea or
u foreign port had no resource but
The charity Of his captain or ship
mates. Old-time shippers generally
prescribed. and supplied blue pill and
he crews were not burdened with
,unds to lend.
Narrowing tales have been told of
hose dark days Of the merchant ma
Inc. of men forced to lie for weeks
n cramped, foul-smelling forecastles,
,ften beset by rats and without proper
God, light, air or clothing.
II the man lived until the ship
cached port some sort Of care might
,e provided for him, but hundreds
lied, were buried at sea; their togs
we're sold and they were soon forgot
en-.
Must Carry Medicines. II
But the days when the life Of sail
# was a dogs life at best are now his
Dry. Every vessel flying the Ameri-
an flag and engaged on long voyages
8 required to carry chest of medi-
ines suitable for the treatment Of
ommOn ailments and injuries. Fail
re to comply with this law subjects
he master or owners OF the vessel to
heavy fine
Scurvy, that ScOurge of the old days,
as practically disappeared from the
american mercantile marine because
the liberal supplies of lime or lemon
uice, sugar and vinegar that are now
equired to be carried on every ship :
n long voyage and to be given daily
0 the crew within ten days after salt
rovisions have been chiefly served to
hem. In the days Of yore ''salt junk"
7as the main item on every foc'sle bill ,
T fare. This food, consigned to the
essel in barrels, was generally slowed
Glow as ballast and sometimes re-
1ained there for long time before
cling requisitioned for the crew. This :
let, with the lack Of fresh vegetables, !
oucod co,,r,,xy s.-s i