THE HOSPITAL SHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 44, 20 August 1941, Page 6

THE HOSPITAL SHIP

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —During the course of an illuminating address, the Hon. F. Jones. Minister of Defence, eulogised our hospital ship, the Maunganui. This elderly but still sprightly vessel is, I believe, a good sea boat, and was so competently constructed that she is as sound today as when she left the stocks. I understand that the general planning, j the medical arrangements, and the! lighting are excellent But I gather; that the heating and ventilation are in a different category. The wards depend mostly upon natural ventilation. On passage in the tropics or through the Red Sea conditions may obtain which prevent the ports being opened or air passing down the wind-sails. Many of the wounded will be encased in plaster: their suffering, one can imagine, will be greatly increased by inefficient ventilation. Possibly lack of equipment— or facilities for installing it—has made it impossible to provide an efficient heating and ventilation system. It is hoped that these difficuties will be overcome when the ship next refits. Our wounded men are surely at least entitled to every comfort and amenity New Zealand can give them, regardless of expense.—l am, etc., BOSWELL. [It was stated in reply to inquiries that the ship is not fitted with the most modern system of ventilation providing for air-conditioning and the bringing in of fresh air at an even temperature, but that the system installed ensures good ventilation. Both morning and evening the temperature of each ward is taken and charted, and this enables the medical officer in charge of the troops to look after the comfort of the men so far as ventilation is concerned.]