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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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9
SUSPECTED CASES OF PLAGUE AND CHOLERA.
Circular No. 437 of the Ministry of Health, dated 31st August, 1923, is a
reminder to Port and Riparian Sanitary Authorities that all suspected cases of
Plague must be reported promptly to the Ministry of Health, and material forwarded
from such cases, for bacteriological examination; under the International Sanitary
Convention of Paris, 1911—12, the Ministry is under an obligation to notify the
Governments of all countries participating in the Convention immediately on the
occurrence of any cases of Plague or Cholera in this country.
TABLE V.—P lague (including suspected cases).
| Date. | Name of Vessel, Port of Registry and Official No. | Where from. | No. of Cases. | How dealt with. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1923. Mar. 4 | ss. "Governor" of Liverpool, 140,587. | Calcutta | l | Landed at Port Said. |
| May 18 | ss. "Macedonia" of Belfast, 116,012. | Bombay | l | |
| Aug. 4 | ss. "Clan Mac vicar" of Glasgow 141,878. | Calcutta | l | Landed at Malta. |
| Sept. 3 | ss. "Baron Inchcape" of Ardrossan, 135,731. | Sourabaya | l 4 | Landed at Algiers. |
| April 19 | ss. "Natia" of Southampton, 145,330. | B. Aires | 1 Groin Abscess | Removed to Port Sanitary Hospital for observation. |
| May 25 | ss. "Narkunda" of Belfast, 142,496. | Sydney | 1 Groin Adeniti: 2 | „ „ |
PLAGUE.
ss. "Governor" arrived from Calcutta on the 12th March. On the 20th
February, a native cook was landed at Port Sudan with a swelling in the groin of
4 days' duration. Information received that bacteriological examination proved
negative as regards plague. The crew's quarters were disinfected, and effects
landed with patient.
ss. "Natia" arrived from Buenos Aires on the 19th April. A seaman was ill
on board with a septic bubo in the groin. Patient was removed to Denton Hospital
for observation on the 19th April, and discharged on the 30th April. Diagnosis,
groin abscess.
ss. "Narkunda" arrived from Sydney on the 12th May. A lascar was taken
ill on board on May 23rd with tender glands in left inguinal and femoral region.
Patient was removed to Denton Hospital for observation on the 25th May, and
discharged on the 7th June. Diagnosis, groin adenitis.
PLAGUE (Suspected).
ss. "Macedonia" arrived from Bombay on May 18th.
Ports of Call—Aden 3rd May.
Suez 6th ,,
Port Said 7th ,,
Marseilles 12th ,,
Gibraltar 14th ,,
Plymouth 18th ,,
Illness reported by the Master—1 death, heart failure ; 1 bubo.
On May 7th, a first-class passenger died suddenly at Port Said, the Surgeon's
report on this death being as follows:—
"I was called in on May 7th, at 7-45 a.m., and found this
passenger lying dead on his back in the cabin. No signs of injury,
foul play or suicide. Small bruises on head (trivial). I had not seen
him before. He looked a strong man.
History from fellow passenger:—
He got up as usual about 6-30 a.m. Never complained of being
ill. At 7-30 he came down to cabin, saying it was dirty on deck
(coaling). At 7-35 (about) the fellow passenger went for his bath
and returning in 7 or 8 minutes, found Mr. W. — dead on the floor.
I reported case to Commander and Consul. The latter held an
inquest and returned death from natural causes. Body buried in
Port Said."
b 2