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14
" The outbreak itself suggests certain obvious precautionary measures for
" the future. With regard to the general condition of the ship there are two
" points of special importance. In the first place, the officers' steerage is
" decidedly close and stuffy, and requires thorough ventilation. This can
" easily be obtained by passing a large air-shaft up through the board-room
" to the upper deck, and capping the same with a proper exhaust cowl. This
" ventilator should be at least 18 inches in diameter. Secondly, on the
" sleeping deck, the exposure of so much bare iron, with the consequent
" dampness arising from condensation, is undoubtedly prejudicial to the health
" of the boys, especially at night. The whole of this surface should be
" covered with composition to prevent altogether this condensation. This
" could best be done by cork and varnish.
" With regard to actual precautionary measures to prevent, or at any rate
" minimise, the possibility of the introduction of infection for the future :—
"(1). Every boy on being sent down from London should be at once
" bathed, and dressed in a fresh suit of clothes, the old ones being destroyed
" or returned.
" (2). He should then be detained on shore for at least eight days, strictly
" isolated from the ship.
" (3). The present infirmary should on no account be used for any cases
" of an infectious character, inasmuch as isolation is not practicable.
" (4). Fresh arrangements should be at once made for the provision of a
" certain number, say ten beds, for cases of an infectious character.
" Nos. 1 and 2 will greatly tend to check the importation of disease,
" Nos. 3 and 4 its extension."
" These are all simple suggestions, but obviously of great importance to
" the health of the ship, and I would therefore urge upon your Honourable
" Committee the necessity of carrying them into effect. In this I feel sure
" that I shall be supported by your own Medical Officer and the Captain"
Superintendent."
These recommendations were at once acted upon, with the exception of the
last relating to the provision of hospital accommodation.
This important question was brought before your Worshipful Committee,
and after some discussion, it was reluctantly resolved that no further cases
should be admitted into the Port Sanitary Hospital from any of the training
ships.
I still, however, trust that some arrangement will be made whereby hospital
accommodation may be provided under the care of the Port Sanitary
uthority, and at the cost of the ship requiring it.