General Remarks
For its former complement of 85 the ship has very
excellent accommodation but owing to the inevitable war increase
there is a certain amount of overcrowding especially on the seamen’s
mess decks. In spite of this a healthy degree of ventilation has
been maintained and the general hygienic conditions of the ship and
ship’s company remain good.
The sick bay accommodation is very good. There
are two cots and ample space to permit of efficient treatment of all
attending list cases.
Since taking over medical charge (there being
no medical officer on board previously) there has been very little
serious illness, only one case being admitted to the sick list.
Medical lectures, so far, have been restricted
to talks on first aid to members of First Aid Parties viz: One
Sick Berth Attendant one Canteen Manager (both Qualified St John’s
Amb Assoc) and three Officer’s Stewards. It is hoped however that
operational duties will allow the whole ship’s company to be
instructed in elementary first aid and hygiene within the next few
weeks. Immunisations and vaccinations will also be brought up to
state within that period.
The presence of rats on board has been
suspected but no damage has been reported so far.
At Action Stations use is made of the Wardroom
and Captain’s Cabin as dressing stations in addition to the Sick
Bay. Medical stores and dressings have been distributed in
sufficient quantities between these three. One dozen satchels have
been obtained from the gunnery store and filled with First Field
and Shell Dressings and placed in strategic positions throughout
the ship.
