ILLNESS AT SEA

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21088, 13 February 1934, Page 10

ILLNESS AT SEA

♦ DIAGNOSIS BY RADIO \i;w signalling code i,ri'"M u! K .».« tPKRI.SL'U.t l;r.X'l .': LONDON. January 12. Ships carrying fewer than 100 passengers do not require to carry a doctor. [n {ho case of serious accident or illness a captain very often sends a wireless message to the nearest ship carrying a doctor a; kins for advice. Experience lias shown that in many such emergencies, masters have not been aware of the precise details required by a doctor to enable him to form a correct diagnosis of Ihe ca«\ with the result, that many costly, slipshod, and involved messages have been exchanged, and between shies of different nation-

aiity language difficulties have added further to the confusion. The new "International Code of Signals," which came into lorce for ail ships and shore signal stations en January 1. contains in volume 11. (for radio signalling), a section known as the "Case-Stating System," which has been designed to do away with the above-mentioned difficulties.

The system contains nearly 1000 aienais to be made by five-letter groups, and is divided into 24 sections. Instructions are appended to assist the master in framing his message, and the doctor his reply.

.Sections 1. to 20 are for the use of the master, who, alter a thorough examination of the patient, willframe his message in the sequence of the code. These sections refer to the description and . age of patient, breathing, pulse, temperature, duration of: illness, onset of illness, accident, or injury, symptoms and signs of illness, nature of pain or swelling, and description of various parts of the body.

There can be no doubt that an intelligent use of the case-stating system, especially in cases of serious injury or obscure diseases, will be a tremendous boon to the seafaring community, and a source of great satisfaction both to masters of ships and their patients, in knowing that they are getting the best possible advice in a desperate situation.