HMS SCOTT Medical Officer's Journal (Extracts)
General
Remarks
This Medical
Journal is being rendered for a broken quarter because I was
appointed to the ship on 16th Feb 1942 and relieved
Surgeon Lieutenant J L Lancett-Edwards RNVR.
Accommodation
and general hygienic conditions for the average complement of 119
Officers and Men are considered to be quite good. Men are
accommodated in the following mess decks:
Upper Deck: Seamen, Stokers, Daymen & Stewards
Lower Deck: Chief PO’s, PO’s and ERA’s
There is
ample provision for stowage of gear in the mess decks. Officer’s
cabins are quite roomy and well equipped.
Ventilation:
Those compartments which are occupied frequently or for long periods
i.e. living and sleeping spaces, offices and working spaces are
provided with artificial ventilation and natural exhaust.
Compartments in which foul odours or gases are likely to be produced
such as CO2
machinery room, Spirit room, and compartments etc, have a natural
supply and artificial exhaust where this is essential. Supply is
through trunks from the open air. In compartments not normally
occupied arrangements are made for ventilation through hoses from
the nearest convenient trunk.
Heating:
There is sufficient number of electric heaters distributed
throughout the ship.
Water
Supply: Two
fresh water tanks, port and starboard sides of hold, each having a
capacity of 70 tons. The water is pumped into 100 gallon gravity
tank and from this is distributed through the ship. Hot water is
supplied by means of a domestic boiler and calorifier of 100 gallon
capacity, and follows in general the distribution of the cold water
supply. Bathroom and lavatory accommodation is quite satisfactory.
Sick Bay:
Contains
accommodation for 2 cat and one hammock case. Ventilation, natural
and artificial is through one sidelight and four Punkah louvers.
Heating is supplied by an electric radiator. There is a wash basin
with H & C running water. Staff consist of one SBPO. The ablution
chamber is now a dispensary and is so fitted that it can be
converted again quickly if the occasion should arise.
First Aid
Arrangements; During ‘Action Stations’ there are two medical
stations. 1 Sick bay, manned by four ratings in charge of the SBPO.
2 After Station, the wardroom, also manned by two ratings in charge
of the Medical Officer. The Emergency Surgical Dressing Chest is
stored in the gunners store which is situated in the Officers flat.
Use can also be made of the Captain’s cabin and camp beds for
casualties. First Aid boxes containing an adequate supply of
dressings are fitted in both motor boats and also in the port
whaler. First Aid boxes and bags are distributed at suitable places
throughout the ship. Also, field dressings have been distributed to
each member of the ship’s company.
The
Weather was
reasonably good during the first two weeks. Following this it became
variable cloudy, with intermittent rain and with fairly heavy seas
running. During the last week of the quarter it was cloudy and
raining with more heavy seas running than previously. Average
temperature 45˚, sea temp 46˚F.
Vermin:
No signs of rats or other vermin in the ship during the quarter.
Lectures:
No First Aid
lectures were given during the six weeks of the quarter, but
exercises were given to the trained First Aid personnel during
practice ‘Action Stations’, mock casualties were provided from
members of the crew. These were dealt with quite satisfactorily by
the First Aid parties. It is intended to commence First Aid lectures
for the ship’s company soon, taking them in small groups so as to
fit in conveniently with the ship’s routine.
General
Health: The
general health of the ship’s company has been reasonably good
throughout the remaining part of the last quarter. The number of 9
on the sick list however shows an increase on previous quarters.
This is considered to be due to the fact that the ship’s complement
has been increased from 104 to 119, present complement, since the 28th
Oct 1941. Also due to the fact that many more games of football have
been played this quarter, than during any of the last year’s
quarters. Two of the cases on the sick list being injuries sustained
during these matches.
With regard to exercise there have been fairly regular opportunities
for walking and quite a number of organized games of football have
taken place. In addition, a number of people have been practicing
for a boxing competition and a regatta. It is hoped that both of
these will take place about the end of this month.
It has been
possible to get fresh vegetables fairly frequently but not in
sufficient quantities to last for any length of time. Fresh milk has
been rather scarce but it has been possible to get eggs at intervals
though not in any great number. Fresh fruit is very scarce. In
conclusion it can be said that a reasonably high standard of diet
has been maintained.
