SAILORS HEALTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 April 1938, Page 10

SAILORS HEALTH

ROYAL NAVY STATISTICS. Sailors eat too quickly. This is the conclusion reached in a blue book giving the health statistics for the Royal Navy for 1935, says a London paper.

Although the service in that year set up a new low record for the average number of men on daily sick parade, it is recorded that the incidence of diseases of the stomach —principally gastritis gastro-enteritis — and of diseases of the intestines has increased during recent years. “Several medical officers are of the opinion that the tendency to ‘bolt’ meals may be one factor contributing to the increase,” it is stated. There, was a decrease in the incidence of disease and injury compared with 1934 and with the average foi' the five years of 1930-34. The death ratio was higher by .38 per 1000 than that for 1934, thish being due solely to disease. The total force for 1935 was 86,345, and the number of cases of disease and injury entered on the sick list was 37,963.

This gave a ratio of 439.66 per 1000 —a decrease of 31.15 in comparison with the five years’ average and one of 24.68 on 1934. Only in 1930 was a lower figure recorded. The new low record in the average number of men sick daily was 1569.1, or a ratio of 18.17 per 1000. This was a decrease of .44 per 1000 compared with 1934, and one of 1.24 in relation to the five years’ average. Spectacles are not scorned in the Royal Navy. “The concession of wearing glasses on duty had been extended until now to officers of the executive branch and ratings of the seaman and signal branches are the only personnel who are never allowed to wear glasses on duty,” commented the report.