The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 9 – Female Disorders and Pregnancy A woman’s period (or menstrual cycle) starts at puberty (11-16 years old) and should occur regularly until the menopause (45–55 years old). The cycle is approximately 28 days and the bleeding last 3–4 days. Individuals will vary widely. Severe generalised illness, severe […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 8 – Diseases of Fishermen Fishermen are particularly prone to infections of the hands and fingers because of their working environment and the things that they are required to handle during their work. For instance, they may be injured by fish spines and bones, by broken ends of […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 7 – Other Diseases and Medical Problems When the calibre of the coronary arteries becomes narrowed by degenerative change, insufficient blood is supplied to the heart and, consequently, it works less efficiently. The heart may then be unable to meet demands for extra work beyond a certain level […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 6.1 – Sexually Transmitted Diseases The following diseases are transmitted by sexual contact: gonorrhoea, chlamydia infections, chancroid, genital herpes, trichomoniasis, syphilis, chlamydia lymphogranuloma, granuloma inguinale, genital warts, pubic lice, scabies, viral hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus,. Sexually transmitted diseases in sailors are generally acquired through unprotected casual […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 6 – Communicable Diseases Communicable diseases are those that are transmissible from one person, or animal, to another. The disease may be spread directly, via another species (vector) or via the environment. Illness will arise when the infectious agent invades the host, or sometimes as a result of […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 5 – Causes and Prevention of Disease This chapter deals with common-sense measures and some necessary precautions which should be taken to preserve the health of those aboard ship and to prevent the spread of disease where it has occurred. Of the many causes of disease, infection by […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 4 – Care of the Injured To prevent infection in wounds, burns and other conditions, all dressings and instruments should be sterile. Dressings should be supplied pre-packed and sterilised. There are two ways of obtaining sterile instruments: I The instruments or equipment can be obtained in pre-packed sterilised […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 3 – General Nursing This section of the Guide is concerned with the care and treatment of bed patients until they recover or are sent to hospital for professional attention. Good nursing is vital to the ease and speed of recovery from any condition. Attention to detail and […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 2 – Toxic Hazards of Chemicals including Poisoning Ships carry a number of substances other than cargo which are potentially toxic. For instance, medicines are not generally poisonous but can become so if taken in a manner not prescribed , such as in an overdose . Then there […]

The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide – Chapter 1 – First Aid When a ship is in port, or near to port where hospital and other expert medical attention are available, the first aid treatment necessary aboard ship is similar to that practised ashore. At sea, in the absence of these facilities, trained ships’ officers are […]