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During most of the period under review, this ship has been engaged on War Service and carrying out a considerable amount of sea time.
No major structural alterations have been carried out, but the ship has been kept in a thoroughly efficient and hygienic state.
Except on one or two occasions, the weather has been comparatively good, whilst at sea, and the sea not very rough : but one notable exception was one big storm, during which an immense sea landed on the Boat-deck, and smashed several boats, whilst both Wardroom and Anteroom were flooded, as well as several cabins. There have, in addition, been minor rough seas, which have caused some dampness in the Sick Bay, the water coming in down ventilation trunks - and also back bursts from the bath - wash basins - and annexes in the Sick Bay, as well as from the Ship's Company's heads forward of the Sick Bay. Every effort has been made to remedy this, as well as the various other leakages that have occurred from time to time : and during the refit these points are to have great attention and an effort made to have them put to rights by the Dockyard concerned.
The atmosphere in the Sick Bay has at time become very heavy at sea : and this has been cleared by turning on an internal circulation of air in the forward end of the ship, though as the heads are involved in this circulation, the air ventilated round is not always as salubrious an aroma as one would wish. Accordingly another method has now been adopted for the Sick Bay, namely the exhausting of air from the Sick Bay by a special fan placed near the main door down into the C.O.2. room : and this has had a decidedly beneficial effect : and has been regularly used of late.
A scheme has not been drawn ip for maintaining a fresh air supply to the Sick Bay and forward part of the ship, by building a special protection for the intakes abaft the breakwater on the forecastle so that they can remain open - and still dry- even at sea. It was suggested that the intake should be more aft and up in the region of the bridges and Boat-deck, but this was not approved, because it would have necessitated very long trunking, as the Sick Bay in this ship is, so far forward - which was thought inadvisable.
A similar protective covering is also to be built for the exhaust from the Ship's Company's heads : and as the trunks from the annexes of the Sick bay will now run in to one trunk, which will be married at an acute angle with the main exhaust from the Ship's Company's heads, this will assist them as well.
Investigations are also proceeding as to the best method for improving the ventilation of the Medical Distributing Stations. The ventilation there is far from good, and it is considered that it should be improved, especially with regard to the exhaust fan and trunking : or should anaesthetics be given there, the vapour will not be exhausted as rapidly as one would wish.
The health of the Officers and men during this quarter has on the whole been very good. In the early part there were a certain number of cases of the Common Cold, not only amongst the ship's company but also amongst the officers : and it was most noticeable that theses tended to occur at sea more than in harbour : due no doubt to the bitterly cold weather experienced at sea at that time. The number of cases never assumed epidemic proportions, though at one moment that seemed possible : but fortunately that was averted, and gradually the cases became much fewer.
In an effort to reduce the changes of infection, all officers and men were given Potassium Permanganate gargle bottes being put in the various bathrooms, with instructions as to use twice daily on them. And a broadcast lecture was given at sea to all officers and men, urging them to gargle as suggested, and to be careful as to sudden changes of
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temperature, such as proceeding from the warm interior of the ship in to the cold air outside.
Some of the cases were of a more severe type than others, one or two running quite high temperatures : but all shewed the usual complaints of malaise - general aches - and pains - some cough and sore throat - and a certain number of catarrhal signs in the lungs in addition.
Various infectious diseases have occurred but except for Rubella, they have been solitary cases:
Mumps. 1 case. Mr [Name Omitted]. 39. Commissioned Gunner. Case 10. of this journal : source of infection was thought to be a rating from "Rodney", with whom he came in contact, when ashore in charge of a patrol, and who came out with the disease just afterwards.
Scarlet Fever. - 1 case. Case 43. [Name Omitted]. 21. O. Sea. [Service No. omitted]. Source of infection was unknown. No further cases resulted from either of these two infectious cases.
Rubella. 27 cases. The first case on board was case 12 of this journal : [Name Omitted]. 19. E.R.A [Service No. omitted]. As the disease was prevalent throughout the fleet and the whole of the British Isles, it was not surprising that a certain number of cases occurred in this ship. Full disinfectant and inspection precautions were taken with the Rubella, as well sa with the Mumps and Scarlet Fever cases : and when cases occurred they were most carefully isolated : but in spite of this two Wardroom Officers : seven Gunroom Officers : and eighteen ship's company went down with this disease.
No other infectious diseases occurred : and none other of the above cases call for any further comment beyond what has been given in the description of the various cases earlier in this journal.
The incidence of venereal disease has been low, there being only four fresh cases of Gonorrhoea and one of Syphilis. A complete summary of venereal disease is shewn at the end of these remarks.
The case of Syphilis was most unusual : [Name Omitted]. 19. O. Sea. [Service No. omitted]. case 23 of this journal. Full details are given in the description of this case : he was sent to H.M.H.S. Aba., and later transferred to R.N.A. Hospital Aberdeen : and the hospital diagnosis given was Syphilis. So this diagnosis has been accepted. In spite of the fact that the man denied all exposure to infection, and there were no signs of a primary sore found : only Right and left Inguinal Buboes.
Full Prophylactic precautions have been urged on all men : and Condoms have been generously supplied.
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Summary of Venereal Disease
| Syphilis | Gonorrhoea | Chancroid | ||
| 1 | 4 | Nil |
......................
| Age Incidence | 21 & under | 22 - 25 | 26 & upwards | |||
| Syphilis | 1 | - | - | |||
| Gonorrhoea | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Chancroid | - | - | - |
......................
| Prophylaxis | Where contracted | Amateur or Prostitute | Disease | |||
| Nil. | Greenock | Amateur | Gonorrhoea | |||
| Washed Soap & water 2 hrs later | " | " | " | |||
| Nil. | " | " | " | |||
| Nil. | " | Prostitute | " | |||
| Denies any exposure to infection | Syphilis | |||||
......................
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Anti-tetanic injections - 2 in number - were given to 82 officers, and 54 men, who volunteered to have this wise prophylaxis : and it is hoped that all these are now protected against this disease. Specimins of blood were taken from a selected number of these 14 days after the second injection, and forwarded to St. Mary's Hospital, London, for investigation as to the Titre obtained: no results are yet to hand, but details of this investigation will be included in the journal for next quarter, when it is hoped they will have been received. The Ship's Company have not volunteered for this in the numbres expected : and another attempt will be made to secure a larger number of volunteers, and so greater protection for the men from Tetanus.
Of these 136 inoculated, there were no general reactions - and only one slight local reaction, which occurred in one officer. 151 Officers and Men were re-vaccinated so as to bring all fully up to date : the calf lymph was quite fresh, and the results were very good.
The weather has varied : the beginning of the quarter, especially in the first half of February, was very cold indeed, and the ship was often covered with snow and ice, especially at sea. In the second half of the quarter, the weather was much better and warmer, especially when almost all officers and men were on leave - between March 15th and 28th - which did everyone a great deal of good.
The Wet and Dry Bulb thermometer readings are shewn at the end of these remarks.
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The ship has been kept in a very hygienic state all the time. An occasional rat has been reported in the Dental flat, for which traps have been set, but not elsewhere in the ship : and there have been a few Cockroaches seen : and continued efforts are made to exterminate them.
Health talks have been given to individuals and groups of men from time to time and a lecture was broadcast to all Officers and men on Health matters.
The First Aid Parties have all the time been receiving instruction and practice : whilst a lecture on First Aid and care of Wounded was broadcast all over the ship at a suitable time at sea : and notes on First Aid, with a list of the places, where stretchers and First Aid bags and tins are permanently stowed, have been put up on all ship's notice boards.
Consideration of Diseases
The incidence of disease, and the actual cases have been fully described, and so it is considered that further comment is unnecessary, except for the following remarks.
Sequelae Gonorrhoea. 2 cases - both to duty. These were the same man: [Name Omitted]. 24. A.B. [Service No. omitted]
Diseases of Metazoan Parasites. 7 cases of Scabies : all to duty. The results of treatment of Izopropyl Alcohol + Benzyl Benzoate have been somewhat disappointing : but this is being perservered with.
Other Nervous Diseases. 2 cases - both to hospital : 1 Sequelae Rt. Herpes Opthalmicus, included in this category rather than under "Diseases of Eye", because of the side of the face and head were also affected as well as the eye. : and 1 Psychasthenia.
Diseases of Ear. 2 cases, both to duty : 1 Otitis Externa - and 1 Otitis Media.
N.A.D. 2 cases - both to hospital. 1 a swelling of Chest Wall : [Name Omitted]. 24. L.Sea. [Service No. omitted]. Case 7, of this journal : sent to hospital for investigation : and returned as N.A.D.
The other case was [Name Omitted]. Marine. [Service No. omitted], Contact C.S.M. This marine was lent to this ship from "Nelson" - information was received that he was a Contact C.S.M. : and he was discharged to hospital for throat-swabbing and isolation : and classified as N.A.D.
Diseases of Mouth, Palate, Fauces & Pharynx.
3 cases - 2 to duty - 1 to hospital.
1 Quinsy and 1 Stomatitis to duty : 1 Vincents Angina to Hospital.
Diseases of Stomach.
7 cases - 4 to duty - 2 to hospital : 1 remains :
1 Gastro-enteritis to duty : 6 Gastritis, 3 to duty, 2 to hospital, 1 remains.
Other Diseases of Intestines.
6 cases - 3 to duty - 3 to hospital
Cases to hospital were 1 Colitis - 1 Constipation - 1 Enteritis : 1 Constipation and 2 Enteritis to duty.
Diseases of Rectum and Anus.
3 cases : 1 Haemorrhoids to duty : 1 Haemorrhoids to hospital : 1 Ischio-rectal Abscess to hospital.
Diseases of Liver.
2 cases : 1 Catarrhal Jaundice to duty : 1 Obstructive Jaundice to hospital.
Muscles, Fasciae, Tendons and Bursae.
1 case - Rt. Supra-patella Bursitis to hospital.
Other Diseases of Skin.
17 cases - 11 to duty. 6 to hospital.
6 cases to hospital were 1 Cheiropompholyx : 2 Seborrhoeic Dermatitis - 1 Epidermophytosis Hands and Feet -
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1 Sycosis Barbae - and 1 Whitlow Rt. Mid Finger.
11 Cases to duty were Seborrhoeic Dermatitis - 2 Folliculitis - 4 Cellulitis - 1 Paronychia - 2 Sycosis Barbae - and 1 Sulphapyridinae rash.
New Growth - Non Malignant.
2 case - Tumour of Leg - to hospital. [Name Omitted]. 23. L.Sea. [Service No. omitted]. case 18 of this journal. This was a case of Tumour of Lt. Leg. : indefinite in nature : classified as that, owing to no further diagnosis being received from hospital.
Signed
K.A. Ingley- Mackenzie
Surgeon Commander, RN
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ALPHABETICAL SICK LIST
Cases remaining from last return or taken on from predecessor are to be entered separately first. Entries relating to the same person are to be entered consecutively. The Name of the Hospital, Ship or Place is to be quoted in the "Whither Discharged" column, if not sent to duty.
| Remains from 4th Quarter 1939 | On Duty = O.D. Not On Duty = N.O.D. Sick on Shore= S.O.S. |
| No. of Case in this Journal | Official Number; NAME |
Age | Rank or Rating |
Date of | No. of Days Sick | Whither Discharged |
DISEASE OR INJURY with Remarks if necessary. If injury, state of what part and whether on duty or not. |
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