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having had three deaths from cholera on the voyage, the victims being pilgrims from Jeddah. The
vessel was simply detained for disinfection.
(6.) On the 8th September, a sailmaker on the " City of Athens," of Glasgow, lying at Northfleet
(outward bound), was removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital in the "David Burnett" with suspicious
symptoms, and the vessel disinfected.
(7.) On the 9th September, the engineer of the steam-tug " Eagle," with suspected cholera, was
removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital, and the usual precautions taken. Although a marked case
clinically, bacteriological examination failed to detect the presence of the comma bacillus.
(8.) On the evening of the 14th September, a telegram was received from the medical officer of the
London County Council stating that a case of cholera had been admitted into St. Bartholomew's Hospital
from the barge " Memory," lying off Castle Baynard-wharf, within the City limits. The barge was at
once taken charge of and an inspector placed on board during the night. The barge was loaded with
sand, which had been largely contaminated by the liquid excreta of the patient. It was therefore
thoroughly saturated with a strong solution of perchloride of mercury, and towed down below the Nore,
where it was finally thrown overboard. This was a marked case of cholera, though happily the patient
recovered under treatment.
(9.) On the 23rd September the s.s. "Amara," of London, from Bussorah, arrived at Gravesend and
reported three deaths from cholera on the voyage. She left Bussorah on the 14th August, and the three
deaths occurred within the five days following, being buried at sea. The vessel was simply detained for
disinfection.
(10.) On the same date, the s.s. " Houbrook," of London, from Cronstadt, arrived at Gravesend with
a case of cholera on board. The vessel left Cronstadt on the 14th September, the patient being attacked
with the usual symptoms on the 17th. He was removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital in the launch
" David Burnett," and died a few hours after admission. The comma bacillus was successfully
demonstrated.
(11.) On the 11th December, the s.s. "Bona" arrived from Bussorah, having had a death from
cholera while at Bussorah. No action was deemed necessary.
(12.) On the 23rd December, the s.s. " Eton," on arrival at Gravesend, reported having had three
cases of illness on the voyage from Sulina, all convalescent on arrival. From the symptoms there
seemed little doubt but that they had suffered from an attack of cholera. The vessel was therefore
detained for the disinfection of the crew's quarters and all effects therein.
In all, therefore, during the six months twelve vessels have been dealt with as infected. Of these,
five had actual cases on board at the time and two were suspicious, and therefore treated in the same
way. The remaining five had cases during the voyage, and four of these were disinfected as a precautionary
measure.
The following is an abstract of the references to administrative arrangements in connection with
cholera in the annual reports of the medical officers of health—
Kensington.—The medical officer of health reports that provision had been made for the establishment
of three ambulance stations in the district, at the parish infirmary, the workhouse at
Mary-place, and the St. Marylebone infirmary, Notting-hill, at which institutions about 150 or 160
beds could be made available for the sick at a few hours notice.
Hammersmith.—The report of the vestry states that certain preliminary arrangements were
made.
Fulham.—The medical officer of health reports that the Board of Guardians of the Fulham
Union had promised to provide beds for 50 patients at the union infirmary, and steps were taken to
obtain sites for erection of temporary hospitals and shelters should they have been required. Arrangements
were made for four ambulance stations in the district.
Chelsea.—Several unoccupied houses in Sydney-street were placed at the disposal of the medical
officer of health by the guardians for the reception of persons who might have to be removed, while
their homes were undergoing cleansing and disinfection.
St. George, Hanover-square.—The medical officer of health reports that " the preparations
made by me in 1892 in case of an invasion of cholera were described in my last annual report ; the
arrangements made still hold good, and could be set to work at any time."
St. Pancras.—The arrangements of the previous year were again adopted, and steps were taken
for securing early notice of deaths from diarrhceal diseases. Authority was given by the vestry for
compensation to be given for any infected article destroyed, and for the employment of a bacteriologist.
Arrangements were also made as to the medical treatment of cases of suspected cholera.
Islington.—This district was divided into suitable areas, and a medical practitioner and
druggist appointed to each. Posters and handbills, similar to those published in 1892, containing
instructions as to the precautions to be adopted, were also issued.
Hackney.—A committee of the vestry reported on the subject of hospital provision, ambulance
stations, the division of the district into suitable areas for the treatment of the sick, and as to the
arrangements which could be made for medical visitation and treatment. The medical officer of health
was instructed to make inquiry as to vacant houses in the district which could be utilized as shelters.
St. Giles.—The medical officer of health recommended, if there should be necessity, the provision
of an hospital on the Shelton-street area, inasmuch as most of the accommodation that the
Metropolitan Asylums Board could provide was not within the district. Arrangements were made in
such event for the district to be divided into four areas, and for the appointment of medical practitioners,
for the supply of drugs and for interments.
St. Martin-in-the-Fields.—The arrangements made in the previous year were continued. Three
medical practitioners were selected for the treatment of the sick.
Strand.—The medical officer of health reports that " the arrangements made by the various
authorities in previous years in case of epidemic were re-established in 1893 and improved."
Shoreditch.—The Shoreditch Guardians placed at the disposal of the Metropolitan Asylums
Board a small block containing ten beds. Provision was made by the vestry for accommodation of
persona during the disinfection of their rooms. Poor law medical officers were prepared to keep
their surgeries open day and night for the treatment of any one suffering from diarrhoea.
Whitechapel.—The preparations were mainly renewal of preparations of previous years. A
large open space in possession of the district board was drained so as to be ready upon emergency for
the erection thereon of temporary hospitals.