What was one of the primary duties of the Loblolly Boys during their service?

The primary duties of the Loblolly Boys included a variety of medical support tasks in addition to maintaining the cleanliness of the medical spaces on the ship, particularly the cockpit and sickbay areas. They were responsible for ensuring that these environments were sanitary and properly equipped to handle the needs of the sick and injured, which was crucial in a naval setting.

The Loblolly Boys played a significant role in providing support to physicians and surgeons, assisting with patient care and the management of medical supplies, but their distinct duty to maintain cleanliness helped prevent infections and contributed to effective medical treatment onboard. Maintaining a sterile environment was vital in ensuring that medical procedures could be performed safely. While administering medication and conducting patient evaluations are essential functions for medical personnel, these tasks were typically reserved for more advanced medical roles, as opposed to the foundational work performed by the Loblolly Boys.