The U.S.S- WHIDBEY was inspected on 1 February at Guam, where the ship
was undergoing material overhaul. This ship, a converted AG, is engaged on
its first annual health and sanitation survey of the inhabited islands of
the Trust Territory, with the mission of obtaining authentic data on the
state of health and incidence of disease among the inhabitants and the.
status of public health services.
The WHIDBEY is equipped with a clinical laboratory, a photofluorographic unit, facilities for complete physical examination and a dental
examination department. The medical complement consists of two medical
officers, one of whom is a qualified clinical pathologist, the other a
roentgenologist, one dental officer, one medical service corps officer
qualified in epidemiology and public health, and ten hospital corpsmen’
with technical ratings in clinical laboratory, X-ray, dentistry, epidem
iology and clerical procedures.
The ship is operating on a schedule which permits it to visit each
inhabited island and remain long enough to conduct a physical and dental
examination of every inhabitant, including photofluorographic chest x-rays,
tuberculin skin tests, blood Kahns, stool examinations and such other lab-
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investigation of the sanitation situation ashore. They evaluate the
merits, or lack of them, of water supplies, food supplies, sewage and garbage disposal, control of communicable disease, insect and other pest
control, housing, obstetrical practices, care of the dead and they collect
information on local customs which have a direct bearing on modern public
Sree’: ome
oratory work as is indicated. These examinations are being conducted on
board ship. The members of the sanitation crew, meanwhile, carry on an
health practices.
Statistics thus assembled are coordinated into a report
which is submitted upon completion of the work on each island. Data
collected in this manner will afford an opportunity to base definitive
action in the various fields of the health program upon information that
is authentic.
No difficulty is anticipated in obtaining full cooperation of the
islanders in the survey.
The news that such a ship is operating in the
enthusiastically everywhere.
To date, the WHIDBEY has completed survey of certain islands in the
Marshalls District. An average examination rate of 75 persons per day was
obtained in the initial phases of the survey. It is believed this figure
will be increased appreciably as the survey personnel become better cualified in dealing with the natives and more efficient in their examinations.
Accuracy and authenticity of data, however, must not be sacrificed for
speed.
Completion of the first annual survey is anticipated by the end of
1949.
Certain islands in the Marshalls District and Saipan District have
been completed. The snip was scheduled at the time of this inspection to
operate in the Western Carolines in order to complete that area (and the
Marianas) prior to the 1949 typhoon season.
During this season, operations
will be shifted to the Eastern Carolines and Marshalls, where typhoons are
rare6e
Ne
REPRODUCED FROM HOLDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Trust Territory has reached all the islands and has been received
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