South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-11

~ URlNG the great world war the men OF the
submarine service took great and mysteri-
GUS risks and for their courage they
held in high honor. But in peace-time they still
have to face discomforts of which the public
knows little. Perhaps the most persistent is the
stiffness of the boats, which is explained in a
handbook for medical officers OF British sub
marine service, by Surgeon-Commander R. w. B.
Hall. R. N, issued by the admiralty.
STIFFNESS is due to the presence of the crew
and to gases from the batteries and engines. The
engines now blow the products of combustion
straight overheard, so carbon monoxide is no
longer a danger, and the specially susceptible
white mouse, the original mascot Of the service,
and figured on its banners, is longer its
Guardian angel. From the secondary batteries,
while they are being charged, hydrogen is liber-
ated. and, if in quantity, may explosion;
also if leakage occur or disaster, and sea water
floods battery, chlorine is given of, deadly in
l part to 10000.
But the chief unavoidable impurities arise
from the crew, products of respiration or perspi-
ration. emanations from the body, clothing, or
food, and tobacco-smoke
When boat is on the surface it is ventilated
through the coming tower, the matches, and spe-
cial ventilating shafts, while if under way, free
current of air is drawn into it through all aper-
tnres bv the suction of the engines, which dis
charge the used air overheard During submer-
zion no fresh air can be introduced, and at first
reliance is placed on 16-inch traversing table
Fans which keep the air Of the compartments
fraelv moving and mixing. After some II hours
the members of the crew will begin to pant and
Tho nurifers must be used to get rid of the in
creasinp carbonic acid, the air being drawn con-
s+antlv through trays of sodalime, renewed every
four hours The air then becomes unduly hot
and moist and is passed through coolers, which
oordanse the moisture snow.
Generally there are two ventilation systems,
ooa for the torpedo-room and fore-end, the other
for the engine-roo1n and the after compartments,
oacb with its own supply and exhaust trunks for
,ea when the vessel is on the surface, and each
belning the mixing of air when the vessel is sub
MERGED The battery exhaust is of special i'm
rortance when recharging is proceeding, and it
car he separated entirely from the general venti-
lation of the boat
As TO diseases, a writer in The London Ian
cot saws that dermattis from petroleum is fire.
o1ent: the risk of heat-stroke TO crews of sub
marines operating in the tropics is great; eye
strain causes anxiety, it results from long spells
at the periscope, but it is understood how needful
Il Is that the observer shall be physically COM
Portable and have a good seat and perscope
that fits him and suits his sight. Eyestran de-
pends also in a small degree on the Lighting of
the boat, for the only light when submerged is
electric. Lighting nowadays, TO avoid glare, is
indirect the lamps being shielded by metal re-
Electors which disperse the light over the sides Of
the vessel painted matt" white; there is no
enamel paint.
Officers and men for the submarine servics
are very carefully physically selected