Baltimore (CA 68) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 85 text:

H.-D. DIVISION DENTAL DEPARTMENT The only AH Regular Navy department aboard ship - maybe the smallest but certainly of great importance - is the Dental Department, headed by LCDR T. J. Hanson (DC), USN. Through his efforts, and assisted by E. C. Patterson, DTI, and A. E. Rat- ner, SN, many a molar has returned to service to chew a BALTIMORE steak, while a few other teeth have necessarily been given the deep six. Pat supervises the appointments, while Rat has taken over the position of C. E. Biggs, SN, who left for Dental Tech- nician school in June. Doc claims that he hasn ' t lost a patient yet, so if your molars give you trouble, come see us on the double ! (P. S. We ' re air-conditioned, too !) H DIVISION The Mediterranean cruise got off to an auspicious start when each corpsman was is- sued, as standard equipment, one large syringe and several very square needles. Each payday saw the Bengal Lan- cers of H Division on the prowl, harpooning unsuspect- ing members of the crew in the payline. These dart games left many sore arms in their wake, but H remained und- aunted. We felt the crew was protected against everything but cold weather - and we left the procurement of anti freeze to each man ' s inge- nuity. A complete operating room was available at all times to serve the BALTIMORE and smaller ships of the Sixth Fleet. Capable laboratory fa- cilities were accessible to aid in diagnosis and treatment of all illnesses. During the heat of summer, we were blessed with an air-conditioned ward that was almost as popular as the gedunk stand (though the APC ' s didn ' t sell as well as the cokes). The division set the ship- board record for cameras per capita and was justly proud of using more x-ray develop- ing fluid than any other Sixth Fleet unit. We mimicked the Great A- merican Tourist on this cruise - but the routine of up-keep and inspection book its toll, and we are looking forward to returning home. Dr Baker, McCiud.