It's been a long time Mollykins, but I can't believe 'The Book' has changed that much.
There is a section in Navy Regulations regarding saluting and when left-hand saluting is permitted (this also applied to working parties) As I recall it read something like, 'if right arm and hand is restricted it is permissible to salute with the left hand, or should circumstances warrant, no salute or coming to attention is necessary.' I never saw any officer who didn't exercise common sense about saluting. And it was the same at Parades and Ceremonies. Men on crutches, or very weak, were always allowed to decide what was best for them. Usually they wanted to participate in some way to show respect for the flag and rank.
And there were always guys like me hanging around, just in case someone or something needed sorting out. Just look around you, you will easily spot us at any function. It was seldom that all this questions were not answered before they became a problem.
OS