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26
PORT OF LONDON SANITARY AUTHORITY.
INFLUENZA ON SHIPS.
Directions to Masters.
At Sea:—
ISOLATION.
(1) Remove your case from association with other men.
Isolate him immediately.
If you do you will not have an epidemic on board.
If you don't you will.
(2) Similarly isolate every successive case or suspect. If the isolation cannot be complete
go as far as you are able in that direction. Use your resources; do not tell yourself that it is
impossible, but rather that it must be done.
The slight cases of "colds and aches" must be isolated, they are as dangerous to the rest
of the crew as if they had Influenzal Pneumonia.
(8) To these ends know the state of health of the crew. Look out for cases after going into
port, especially if the crew has been ashore.
(4) Isolation means setting the ill man in a place to himself, separate from all air contact
with others, for the period of his fever and one week after.
(5) There should be neither bravado nor funk on the part of the person attending on him.
The essence of the matter is "Don't breathe his breath"; good ventilation of the sick berth
secures this and is a help to the patient. Remember that the breath and spit of the patient is
the most infectious part of him. Articles soiled with his spit should not be handled without
washing the hands after.
(6) Prevention is to cure as gold is to copper.
Cure.—Aceto-Salicylic Acid (Aspirin) 10 grains, and whiskey ease the aches. A warm bunk
is the place for the patient.
If the body is suitably covered and kept warm, the more air the better, but not a draught.
If the man is too ill to know his own mind on the matter of food, give him nutritious slops,
milk, &c., at proper intervals.
In Port.—Fetch a doctor.—Make isolation quarters on board the ship without delay.
Remember that if the port has Influenza its accommodation is likely to be already taxed; if not,
the Port will not want to have it.
Removal for an ill patient is not always best for that patient. When asked, declare to the
Authorities all "colds and chills" on board, they may be able to help you and the sufferers.
Disinfection.—One pound of Sulphur burned in every 1,000 cubic feet of space for six hours
will disinfect against Influenza after the removal of a case. Clothes should be hung up in the
vapours.
Any spitty floor or berth should be washed over and spitty clothing washed out in a mild
disinfectant solution, e.g., 2 per cent. Izal. If you have not got the disinfectant the washing
in water and drying in the open will do most of what is necessary. Water, especially sea water
used in plenty, is a very good cleanser.
Clothing.—If in cold weather, insist on crew wearing their warm clothing and do what you
can to prevent exposure.
Quarters.—Daily inspection to assure yourself that they are kept properly ventilated, clean
and dry, and that when washed daily a little Izal or Carbolic is added to the water.
Gargling.—See that each of the crew are given a daily gargle of water to which has been
added enough Permanganate of Potash to give the liquid a pink colour.
February, 1920.