5. MISCELLANEOUS
6. METEOROLOGY—WEATHER
7. ROUTING OF SHIPS
8. COMMUNICATIONS
9. INTERNATIONAL SANITARY REGULA-
TIONS
10. TABLE OF COMPLEMENTS
You can see that almost every situation possible is
covered in the General Signal Code. This code is very
important, so familiarize yourself with it.
MEDICAL SIGNAL CODE
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain procedures
for encoding and decoding medical signals.
List procedures for instructions to Masters and
Doctors.
Chapter 3 of the International Code of Signals
covers the Medical Signal Code. This code is divided
into the four following sections:
1. Explanations and Instructions
2. Request for Medical Assistance
3. Medical Advice
4. Table of Complements
Medical advice should be sought and given in
plain language whenever possible, but if language
difficulties arise, the Code should be used.
Even when plain language is used, the text of the
Code and the instructions should be followed as far as
possible.
Reference is made to the procedure signals C, N
or NO, and RQ, which when used after the main signal,
change its meaning into affirmative, negative, and
interrogative, respectively.
Example:
MFE RQ—Is bleeding severe?
MFE N—Bleeding is not severe.
INSTRUCTIONS TO MASTERS
The master should make a careful examination of
the patient and should try to collect, as far as possible,
information covering the following subjects (under
chapter 3 of the Code):
1. Description of the patient
2. Previous health
3. Localization of symptoms, diseases, or injuries
4. General symptoms
5. Particular symptoms
6. Diagnosis
Such information should be coded by choosing the
appropriate groups from the corresponding sections of
the Code. It would help the recipients of the signal if
the information were transmitted in the order shown
in the previous list.
After a reply from the doctor has been received
and the instructions therein followed, the master can
give a progress report by using signals from
chapter 3.
INSTRUCTIONS TO DOCTORS
Additional information can be requested by using
chapter 3, section 3A.
Example:
MQB—I cannot understand your signal. Please use
standard method of case description.
For diagnosis, chapter 3, section 3B should be used
Example:
MQE 26—My probable diagnosis is cystitis.
Prescribing should be limited to the “List of
Medicaments” which comprises table M-3 in chapter
3, section 4.
For special treatment, signals from chapter 3,
section 3C should be used.
Example:
MRP 4—Apply ice-cold compress and renew
every 4 hours.
When prescribing medication, three signals found
in chapter 3, section D, should be used as follows:
1. The first (chapter 3, section 3D-1 and table M-3
in chapter 3, section 4) signifies the medication
itself.
Example:
MTD 32—You should give aspirin tablets.
2. The second (chapter 3, section 3D-2) signifies
the method of administration and dose.
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