Reappraisal of the problem of British mariners and sexually transmitted infection.

A detailed appraisal of the British seafarer and his way of life is described and the prevailing management of sexually transmitted disease in the seafarer is outlined. It is shown that the available statistics on the incidence of sexually transmitted disease among seafarers are inadequate. Management at sea and ashore remains generally unsatisfactory. Suggestions are made to improve the management of venereal disease in foreign ports and a simple method is described of managing sexually transmitted disease at sea with trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole.