The British Royal Navy constructed hospitals ashore to look after their sick and wounded: skilled seamen, it has to be said, were not easy to find, and taking good care of them made excellent sense. Death was the most likely outcome for the patient. It was traditional to put the sick ashore and leave them in the dubious care of lodging house and tavern owners. Historically, illness abaord ship could be a serious problem: "ship fever" (typhus) could destroy a crew more surely than a battle. From the navy's point of view, their men are returned to duty quickly and cannot desert or be "crimped" (pressed into service) by unscrupulous carers. The navy pays for doctors and surgeons to cure his infirmities: he has a bed in a clean ward, and best of all, he cannot spend his pay on drink and loose living. A sailor who finds himself looked after here can count himself lucky!
A naval hospital gives high-quality care to the sick and wounded.
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