Admiral I.F. Kruzenshtern on the preservation of the health of sailors on ships

Abstract

The content of the report of Ivan Fedorovich Kruzenshtern at the meeting of the Petrovsky Academy of Sciences «On the preservation of the health of sailors on ships» (1838) is considered from the point of view of a historical example of a deep understanding and interest of the commander of a warship in preserving the health of the crew. In his opinion, the reason for the high morbidity and mortality on the ships of the Russian Fleet were damp, insufficiently ventilated rooms, inadequate food, substandard drinking water, dirty linen and clothing of sailors (due to the inability to wash), lack of fresh vegetables, as well as tedious ship work and the sad disposition of the crew. Admiral I. F. Kruzenshtern instructed young officers in all ways to exclude these reasons for preserving the health and combat capability of the crew.The purpose of the study: to analyze archival materials about the views of Admiral I. F. Kruzenshtern on the issues of preserving the health of sailors during long sea voyages.Materials and methods. Retrospective analysis and scientific generalization of archival materials of Admiral of the Russian Fleet I. F. Kruzenshtern.Results and their discussion. The rules formulated by the admiral on the basis of personal experience, almost 200 years ago, remain relevant and today they form the basis of the requirements of the Naval Charter for the protection of the health of military sailors and constitute the essence of modern naval hygiene.