REGULATIONS AFFECTING SEAMEN 23

at the expense of the United States, subject to such instructions as
the Secretary of State shall give. The seamen shall, if able, be bound
to duty on board the vessels in which they may be transported, according
 to their several abilities.” This destitute seaman’s fund is available
 for use by the consuls and vice consuls who look after the interests
of sick and disabled seamen put ashore in foreign ports and often
make complete arrangements for the return of the seamen to the
United States either as a “consular passenger’’ or, if able to perform
duties, as a “work-a-wayv.”

Reporting Injuries or Illness

The routine of events following every case of illness or injury
of a seaman begins with the entry in the ship’s log showing the
nature of the injury or illness, the medical treatment given, and
usually if an injury, the manner in which it occurred. The master
then makes up in duplicate or triplicate a report of the occurrence to
be forwarded to the offices of the owner and to the underwriter or
insurance broker if the owner is not a “self-insurer.”” Although
these reports provide space for a complete description of nearly all
pertinent matters concerning the seaman and his injury, the bureau
found that the reports are seldom filled in completely and often some
of the more important items are wanting. Shown below are two
fypes of forms largely used in reporting injuries, and two used for
illnesses.