Watch out for ticks picked up in the jungle and watch, too, for other lice which might get on your body, especially in the crotch, armpits, and between the toes.  They may be sucking your blood and injecting a disease into you for hours unless you inspect your body for them.  A tick or sucker should not be yanked off.  He may leave his stinger in you.  Rather touch it with a lighted cigarette or a drop of iodine or alcohol.  It will then probably drop or squirms off.

 

Men living ashore should keep their mosquito netting tucked under the mattress. If it is not, mosquitoes, snakes, scorpions, centipedes, and other venomous creatures can get in.  Shake and check your blankets before you turn in.

 

Preparations for those already having the infection are available at sick bay.  Make use of the knowledge that will save you much pain and sleep.  Follow the instructions on the bottle.  If you do not, you will be walking on a mass of sores which often break out on the soles of the feet.  For an object lesson, go into a sick bay in the Area and see the poor blokes that failed to observe the rules.  Some are strung up like cripples and covered from head to foot with violet paint.  Others, more fortunate, will be seen limping around.

 

Swimming is great exercise and there are zones prescribed for it.  Always swim in pairs.  This precaution for safety is too obvious to be explained.  There have been instances where giant clams have held men below the water for an uncomfortably long time.  Thick vegetation, seaweed, lines and submerged trees may tangle one man up.  Rocks and nigar heads have stunned many men.

 

Incidents mentioned above are not so common as the infections that can be acquired from swimming in tropical waters.  Salt water in this region is usually very unsanitary.  It is teeming with minute organisms and slime.  Do not use it to wash out cuts or sores.  It will probably make them worse.  Ear fungus is perhaps the most prevalent malady contracted from swimming.  Prevent it by wearing ear plugs and by drying out your ears completely after coming out.  If you have any irritation, growth, or pain go to sick bay.

 

Cold fresh water in a lake or mountain stream looks wonderful, but it may be harmful.  Tropical fresh water, unless treated (chlorinated) properly, is dangerous both for drinking and bathing.  Swim only in water approved by the sanitation officer or medical officer.

 

Chlorinated water is not pleasant to taste.  However, there are now available chlorination kits which purify the water without leaving that chlorine taste.  Get one for your boat.  Fresh water tanks should be inspected.  If any unusual growths or barnacles or animals are found report it to sick bay.

 

Jungle sores or ulcers are as dirty and uncomfortable as they sound.  Tulagi rot is another non medical name for this ailment.  How they start is not quite evident.  The precautions that follow may be helpful.  Treat all sores and scratches, especially coral scratches, immediately with iodine or mercurochrome or alcohol.  Dress it and do not go swimming.  Keep clean by washing with fresh sanitary water and soap.  Wash your clothes frequently.