I bought copies of "Handbook of the Hospital Corp, USN" 1939, and "The Principles and Practice of Nursing" 1927, both of which are the primary reference books supplied in the list of medical equipment recommended for submarines during the war. I also got "Medical Compend for the Commander of Naval Vessels", 1944 which is not listed, but might have been aboard as it was designed for smaller vessels without medical staff.
These really bring to focus how desperate/crazy the appendectomies done during the war were. Also, why they where outlawed right away even though the patients survived. (see Medical Study of the Experiences of Submariners as Recorded in 1,471 Submarine Patrol Reports in World War II, 1949.
http://maritime.org/doc/pdf/duff.pdf)
rich
