_The blue service dress uniform_ consists of a coat, trousers and cap of dark blue cloth, black shoes and white gloves, the style and trimming being practically the same as for officers of the U. S. Navy. Rank is indicated by stripes of gold lace around the sleeves, the branch of the service by insignia embroidered on the collar and the service insignia is embroidered on the front of the cap, as illustrated. Commissioned officers wear a gold triangle on a circular silver base on each sleeve above the rank stripes and the branch of other officers is shown by stripes of colored velvet between the rank stripes, the distinctive colors being light blue for Chief Engineers, dark maroon for Surgeons and dark brown for Mates and Watch Officers. _The white service uniform_ consists of a single-breasted coat of white duck or drill, with a stand and fall collar, five gilt service buttons down the front, two breast pockets and two lower pockets with flap and gilt button and a strap on each shoulder from the shoulder seam to the base of the collar. Rank is shown by bright metal insignia on the shoulder straps as illustrated. _The field uniform_ is identical with the white uniform except that the color is khaki and the buttons and collar ornaments are of bronzed metal. _The overcoat_ is of the same pattern as that worn by officers of the U. S. Navy, rank and branch being shown by gold stripes and color stripes as on the sleeves of the blue service coat. _The sword and belt_ are of the U. S. Navy pattern with the letters U.S.C. & G.S. on the blade. [Illustration: SEAL OF THE U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE] CHAPTER IX UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF THE U. S. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE The U. S. Public Health Service, operated as a Bureau of the Department of the Treasury, has charge of the enforcement of the quarantine regulations for the prevention of the introduction of contagious and infectious diseases into the United States from abroad or from one state or territory to another; the care of sick and disabled seamen of the merchant marine, and of scientific research at home and abroad regarding diseases of man which may affect the general public health and welfare. This service was formerly known as the Public Health and Marine Hospital Service, but by an Act of Congress dated August 14, 1912, the name of the service was changed to the Public Health Service and its duties were increased and its powers and responsibilities much enlarged. The Public Health Service is administered under a Surgeon General stationed at the National Capital, the various duties being assigned to seven divisions.