MYSTERIOUS MALADY

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1928, Page 4

MYSTERIOUS MALADY

PECULIAR TO MOTOR-SHIPS,

AUCKLAND, June 23

A fact which may retard the use of internal combustion engines in ships is the appearance of a mysterious malady among their engineers. Hope of coping with the difficulty lies on 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 he picked out at a glance. At least that is what seamen declare. 'lhe disease takes the form of ansemia, and a marked degree of lassitude. At times it is accompanied by outbreaks of painful sores.” The chief engineer of one motorship, 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 arouse him. Before he 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 he found in fumes from the engines. It is understood that several men from motorships have been treated at Auckland Hospital in recent months for this form of sickness, including an engineer who has been sent to Rotorua for a period of convalescence. Some men show more resistance to 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 the less effective engines, and inadequate ventilation. In vessels of more modern design the health of the engine-room stall’s is better. r lhe biggest motor-ship trading to Auclkand is the Aorangi. The method of her en-gine-room construction is so modern that no health troubles have occurred. In the case of the Union Steam Ship Co.’s motor-ship llauraki, 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 have been suffering from ill-health.