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44
The conditions illustrated by the Table above might be considered practically
ideal for the development and propagation of such a disease as Pulmonary
Tuberculosis, and inasmuch as it is now recognised that the disease is infectious,
it is quite time that some effective legislative measures should be adopted
to secure better hygiene in crews' quarters.
The fore part of a ship is not suitable for habitation. The space here is
limited, and there is not scope for free movement. There are also practical
difficulties in the way of efficient ventilation, more particularly in erecting
ventilators. Moreover, when men come from the engine room and stokehold
to the forecastle they are exposed in bad weather to the almost certainty of
being thoroughly wetted by the sea. The forecastle of a vessel is, further,
generally dark on account of the difficulty in providing means of lighting
which will not be broken by the seas and gear.
In the ideal provision of quarters for crews on board steamships, the officers
should be berthed amidships and the crew aft. In this part of the vessel
they are protected from weather; a skylight can be provided which will
afford ample light and ventilation. An upper row of bunks should not be
allowed on the side from which the light comes.
Sailing ships should berth their crews in houses on deck.
The crew can pass between the engine room and their quarters without
getting wet, and owing to the configuration of the vessel, large and roomy
quarters can be provided with mess room and wash-house.
This arrangement of crews' quarters is by no means an inovation, and has
already for some time been adopted by certain shipowners, with the result
that a very great improvement has been effected and an example set which
might with advantage be followed by all shipowners.
With regard to ventilation, it is laid down by the Board of Trade that each
forecastle shall be efficiently ventilated. The interpretation of this results in a
cowl ventilator being placed through the deck, the lower end is placed either
over or in close proximity to a bunk, the occupant thereupon stops it up, or
more frequently the ventilators are removed and stored in the fore peak,
whilst the opening is covered securely with canvas tied on and painted.
The ventilator is usually about 8 or 9 inches in diameter, and in order to
act as an uptake should be always kept back to wind; this is no one's duty,
and in consequence is not done.
In order that the air may be kept fairly pure 3,000 cubic feet per head of
fresh air per hour should be supplied, an absolute impossibility with the
means of ventilation ordinarily provided. The conditions can be much
improved by fitting a ventilator which will act as an uptake only; of this
there is more than one kind made; if the vitiated air is removed, fresh air will
find its way in through the door or openings therein.