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MEDICAL REPORT

Medical Officer: Julian Mallinson

1. PREVENTATIVE MEDICATION
All UK team members were vaccinated against Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitus A, Rabies, 
Diptheria and Typhoid prior to embarkation. Recommended prophylactics (Larium) were 
taken throughout the expedition to protect against malaria.

2. TRAINING
All UK team members held certificates of proficiency in basic first aid. Julian 
Mallinson (Medical Officer) gained further experience of expedition medicine on a 
'Wilderness Medical Training' programme.
All UK team members were fully briefed by Julian Mallinson (Medical Officer) 
regarding the contents of the team medical kit and the appropriate use of all items contained.

3. INSURANCE
The team was suitably covered by comprehensive expedition insurance.

4. MEDICAL KITS
Team Medical Kit
Julian Mallinson (Medical Officer) was properly in charge of the assembly and 
security of the team medical kit and the appropriate administration of all items contained. In 
the absence of the medical officer, Barry Ferguson (Leader) took charge. Quantities of 
medical items included were appropriate for a group of twenty embarking on a twelve-week 
expedition.

Painkillers

20 minim

Dressings / Instruments

Crepe bandages - large / medium / small / cohesive

Aids Kit

Other Items

Insect repellent (75ml)				

Field Manuals

Warrell, D. & Anderson, S. (1998) Expedition medicine. Profile Books,
London.
Expedition medical training programme - Course manual, 1999. Wilderness
Medical Training, Royal Leamington Spa.
Webb, M., Scott, R. & Beale, P. (1997a). First aid manual. Dorling
Kindersley, London.
Webb, M., Scott, R. & Beale, P. (1997b). Emergency first aid. Dorling
Kindersley, London.

Documentation

Medical notes for each UK team member, including personal details, medical
history, immunisations and blood group.

Official letter authorising the carriage of medical supplies for the use of
expedition members.

Personal Medical Kit
All UK team members carried personal medical kits for which they were individually 
responsible. Personal medical kits contained basic first aid supplies and additional 
medication, as required by the individual.

5. SAFETY PROCEDURE
Water collected for internal consumption was filtered using a 'millbank' bag and 
treated with an iodine tincture. All team members carried an adequate supply of drinking 
water with them at all times and were encouraged to maintain adequate fluid intake. All 
catering materials were washed with detergent and disinfected by rinsing in two dilute 
solutions of bleach.
Malaria and sunstroke were avoided by wearing appropriate clothing during risk 
periods.
As far as possible, food was prepared to western standards of hygeine.
All fieldwork excursions from base camp were carried out by teams of at least two 
people, including a local guide. All team members carried SOS whistles in case of 
emergency.
Accidents were avoided by careful and vigilant progress through the terrain.

6. CASUALTY TREATMENT AND EVACUATION
All medical conditions encountered received early and appropriate treatment. 
Subsequent monitoring and treatment was necessary to prevent worsening and promote 
recovery.
In the event of an emergency, all team members were familiar with a predetermined 
casualty evacuation plan. Barry Ferguson (Leader) would take charge of the situation and 
Julian Mallinson (Medical Officer) would advise on casualty treatment and care. In the 
absence of the leader, Chris Perceval (Deputy Leader) would take control. All other 
members of scientific and support teams would provide further assistance, as required.
Casualties would be taken to the local hospital in Itotaka for the treatment of minor 
injuries. For more serious injuries, radio contact would be used to arrange rapid transport to 
Fort Dauphin and subsequent transfer by aeroplane to a European standard hospital on 
Reunion.
At no stage during the expedition was it necessary to implement casualty evacuation.

7. CONDITIONS REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT
The following list describes all conditions requiring medical treatment encountered 
during the expedition. In the interest of medical confidentiality no further details are given.

Condition (Number of cases)

Travel sickness (2)
Ankle sprain(1)
Indigestion (2)
Skin blister (2)
Traveller's Diarrhoea (9)
Skin allergy (1)
Food poisoning (2)
Respiratory allergy (1)
Giardia (1)
Nasal congestion (2)
Eye graze and infection (1)
Sore throat (6)
Hand incision wound (1)
Cough (1)
Foot incision wound (2)
Headache (4)
Shin abrasion (1)
Foot infestation by parasitic organism (4)
Elbow contusion (1)
Fungal skin infection (1)

It was also necessary for two local team members to receive treatment for 
gonorrhoea during the expedition. A qualified doctor at the local hospital administered the 
appropriate penicillin injections.