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The Regulations discourage, and rightly so, any action which would interfere
with the occupation or means of livelihood of persons suffering from Pulmonary
Tuberculosis. The position of a Port Medical Officer under these conditions is
particularly difficult. There is little doubt that if the crews of vessels could be
medically examined, there would generally be found some member of the crew suffering
from Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a more or less degree.
The following example was met with recently:—A sailor had been on a ship for
about eight months, had been ailing for about two months with general debility—off duty
at various periods, and finally laid up for three weeks with cough and general weakness,
suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis. He died at sea, and was buried at Perim.
This man had been capable of spreading the disease amongst the other occupants
of the forecastle for at least two months.
Seafaring men are not generally very particular in their habits. They expectorate
wherever it is convenient, and are thus, when affected with Pulmonary Tuberculosis,
a source of great danger to the other occupants of the quarters. If the Medical Officer
should report to the Captain that a man was suffering with Pulmonary Tuberculosis,
it would mean that he would probably be discharged, in which case he would take a
situation on another vessel and so continue the danger of spreading the disease. The
master might, on the other hand, decide to take no action, the man would
then remain on the vessel and continue to be a source of danger to his companions.
Some good, however, will be done if these men seek treatment in recognised hospitals.
They can be educated so that when they leave the hospital and join a vessel, the habits
of precaution which they have learned in the hospital can be continued when on
board ship, and so the danger will to a certain extent be minimised.
TABLE XX.
(Pulmonary Tuberculosis.)