Abstract
The reasons for the attendance by 1725 seagoing personnel for medical treatment on board 41 cargo vessels of the Cunard Steam-Ship Company were studied over the year 1977. The total number of attendances for initial treatment amounted to 6630 with a further 1555 attendances for retreatment. Referrals ashore for an opinion by a qualified medical practitioner numbered 2250. Injuries resulting from accidents were the most common reason for attendance and 1559 were recorded. These bore no relation to reported lost-time accidents (A.I.R.). Gastro-intestinal illness, diseases of the skin and sepsis were the most frequently recorded diseases encountered. A total of 110 crew members were repatriated on medical grounds of which diseases of the digestive system and accidents were the commonest causes. There was no noticeable difference in attendance between British, Barbadian and Indian crews. No fatalities occurred. The need for careful medical screening of seafarers to avoid unnecessary illness overseas is emphasized.
Published Version
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