result had become infested with cockroaches. The senior medical officer was very much perturbed over this insanitary condition. He organized a spray-gun squad which made war on the roaches in all the galleys and pantries every night after the lights had been put out. Pressure was put on the cooks and stewards to keep the food-cooking and food-storage compartments clean. The skipper and the exec were loud in their praises of a job well done.
Then came a Saturday morning and captain's inspection. As they went through the ship, the doctor was proud of his part in the roach-prevention campaign. The inspection had progressed to the captain's own little galley. Everything was immaculately clean. The Filipino steward was standing at attention in a corner, resplendent in his starched white uniform. At that moment the grandfather of all cockroaches, an enormous and perfect specimen, ambled out from under the range and started a leisurely walk across the spotless white-tile deck. The captain looked reproachfully at the doctor, then at the steward, and pointed an accusing finger at the roach. The steward bent down and scrutinized the insect. Then he announced with dignity, "Yes, Captain, I see him, but he is not mine. He is merely passing through on inspection."
Navy regulations for supply officers are precise in decreeing inspection of all foods. All fresh provisions procured for use in the commissary department are required to be inspected by the commissary officer to determine whether the articles delivered conform to the requirements. Meats are required, by Navy regulations, to be passed by an inspector of the Bureau of Animal Industry, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and must show his blue stamp of approval. The Navy is particular about the sex of animals from which the meat comes. No meat from bulls, boars, stags, or cows is acceptable. Naturally, this regulation in favor of castrated animals provides a lot of jokes, but it also ensures the men aboard ship and in training camps prime meat.
As a matter of fact, the men in our Navy are the best-fed body of men anywhere in the world. The Navy ration, as laid down by
