ill i laa sedena listing MAM lel bial eer — noeee et sew ee . . . meee es eis oe ee eects «lhe SS : . Aee s -. ree tee Nee bed oe ee meeATee ea Ficeee! ve VICINITY MAP OF TRUST TERRITORY OF THE PACIFIC ISLANDS ¥ NORTHERN MARIANAS, CAROLINE, AND MARSHALL ISLANDS Veet, eal ped Shte.ms se . 5 eQaeGr s One of the main difficulties encountered in developing a publichealth programfor the trust territory was the lack of reliable information concerning health and sanitation conditions. The most reliable reports came from the naval dispensaries where natives living In the immediate vicinity were given medical care and treatment. There was definite indication from these reports that certain diseases were affecting the health of the islanders and that sanitation in general was on a very lowlevel. Without a comprehensive survey, however, a correct appraisal of disease prevalence, morbidity, and sanitation problems could not be made. we “tabinks U.S. ARMED FORCES MEDICAL JOURNAL PTE pe ID Tot gh agpin aye i - 9 ~ C / HAWAIIAN ISLANDS oF 5 ALSTRAL 1A Figure }. The Trust Tervilory of the Pacific Islands. Motivated by these considerations, the Nary'undertook a health survey of the trust territory to determine the public-health problems of the indigenvus population. The U.s.S. Whidbey, converted especially for this survey, was a twin-screw cliesel-driven 177-foot vessel displacing 935 tons. The Whidbey was equipped with a photofluorographic unit and facilities for complete physical and dental examinations. The survey was begun in the Marshall Islands area on 1 August 1945. Fourofficers and 21 enlisted men made up the ships company. The survey staff was comprised of the following personnel: 2 Medical Corps officers, 1 Dental Corps and 1 Medical Service Corps officer, and ) hospital corpsmen serving in laboratory, x-ray, dental, epidemiologic, and clerical activities. 1200 YOLUME 10, NO. 10 9013252