ENGINE-ROOMS OF MOTOR-SHIPS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 228, 27 June 1928, Page 10

ENGINE-ROOMS OF MOTOR-SHIPS

SAID TO AFFECT HEALTH OF STAFFS

A MYSTERIOUS MALADY Dominion Special Service. Auckland, June 26. The appearance of a mysterious malady among engineers on ships propelled by internal combustion engines is causing some concern. A hope of coping with the difficulty lies in the one hand with medical science and its ability to master the malady and on the other with construction engineers and their ability to keep the workers and the fumes apart. “It has come to this,” said a marine engineer in discussing the matter, "that because of their sallow complexions motor ship engineers may be picked out at a glance. At least, that is what seamen declare.” The disease takes the form of anaemia and a marked degree of lassitude. At times it is accompanied by outbreaks of painful sores. The chief engineer of one motorship, in describing his symptoms, said that while the disease was upon him he slept as though drugged and so soundly that it was almost impossible for others to rouse him. Before lie was able to leave the ship he was haunted by a dread that he would one day go to sleep and never awaken.

There seems to be little doubt that the cause of the trouble is to be found in fumes from the engines. It is understood that several men from motor-ships have • been treated at Auckland Hospital in recent months for this form of sickness, included an engineer who has been sen- to Rotorua for. a period of convalescence. Some men show more resistance tc the poison than others, and some ships are considered to be less dangerous than others. The earlier motor-ships are said to have caused more illness because of less effective engines anil inadequate ventilation. In vessels of more modern design the health of the engine-room staffs is better. The biggest motor-ship trading to Auckland is the Aorangi, and the method of her engine-room construction is so modern that no health troubles have occurred. In the case of the Union Steam Ship Company's motor-ship Hauraki, trading between New Zealand and the Pacific Coast, extensive alterations were made some time ago in the ventilating system, and by the installation of fans. This is understood to have been owing to the fact that several of the engineers had been suffering from ill-health.