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SECTION X - OBSERVATIONS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF MALARIA ON SHIPS
Twelve cases of malaria (all seamen) were reported on ships during the year under review.
This compares with seventeen cases in 1959.
One case was admitted to Denton Hospital; two had died during the voyage; one had been
landed at Freetown ; and eight were well on arrival.
A Notice giving advice on the General Precautions and Treatment of Malaria is issued by
the Ministry of Shipping and should be on board every British ship. The text of this notice was
reproduced in my Annual Report for 1958.
MOSQUITO CONTROL AT ISLE OF GRAIN
Mr. R.W. Gwyer, the Port Health Inspector stationed at the Isle of Grain, has reported that
mosquito control was carried out at the Isle of Grain from March to October 1960.
Owing to the abnormal rainfall during the year increased breeding of larvae occurred especially
around the perimeter of the refinery site, but not many adult mosquitoes were seen and there were
no complaints from the employees.
An additional 213 acres of land came under the jurisdiction of the refinery and half of this
area was very swampy, overgrown and much breeding observed. The possibility of spraying by
aircraft was considered but before a decision had been reached the area dried up sufficiently to
enable the operator of the refinery to carry out appropriate control work.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AFFORDED TO SHIPPING BY THE PORT HEALTH STAFF
The Boarding Medical Officers and indeed all Port Health Staff roost willingly continue to
afford at all times, both day and night, medical advice and assistance to shipping. This help
varies widely: it may be an accident or sudden illness in the River requiring urgent medical
attention and possible admission to hospital; it may be a reply to a radio signal from a ship at
sea seeking medical help; or it may be a simple enquiry from a seaman as to where he can
obtain hospital treatment or even perhaps dental treatment late at night.
Mention must also be made of the numerous requests for advice and information which are
made by shipping companies as to health and quarantine matters on board ships not only in
London but throughout the world. In this respect the Port Health Service often assumes a protective
role in public health far beyond the River Thames.
A few examples of assistance rendered are given below and from these it may readily be
seen that the Port Health Authority does in fact act as a kind of general health service for the
River, particularly so at Gravesend, and undertakes duties not strictly limited to "quarantine"
but which the Port Health Service, with its own medical staff, ambulance launches and inspectors,
is nevertheless, if not under a legal obligation, at least under a moral and humanitarian obligation
to fulfil.
s.s. "Pinewood"
A message was received, via the Pilot Cutter, at the Hulk "Hygeia" on 17th February 1960,
requesting assistance for an accident on the outward bound collier "Pinewood".
On boarding the vessel Dr. J.A. Jones was informed by the Master that there had been a
'misunderstanding' between the cook and an Arab fireman. The fireman had a cut right across
the palm of the left hand. Although it was quite deep, the tendons appeared to be intact. The
man was landed in the "Howard Deighton" and taken by ambulance to Tilbury Hospital.
s.s. "Corferry"
On 20th February 1960, a telephone message was received at the Hulk "Hygeia" from the
North Foreland W/T Station that the s.s. "Corferry" would need medical assistance on arrival at
Gravesend.
When the vessel was boarded by Dr. Roden, the Master was found to be suffering from acute
cardiac failure and it was deemed advisable to remove the patient to hospital forthwith. This
was arranged and the patient was transferred to Tilbury Landing Stage for transport by ambulance
to Orsett Hospital.
s.s. "Colorcrete"
At 11.55 hours on 23rd February 1960, a telephone call was received at the Hulk "Hygeia"
to intercept a ship coming down River as an accident had occurred on board. Dr. H. Willoughby
at once left the "Hygeia" and met the vessel (s.s. "Colorcrete") in Gravesend Reach at noon.
The injured man had got "mixed up" between a running line and a block and had a badly
smashed jaw and his right ear "hanging by a thread". Haemorrhage had been arrested by a towel
and a bandage.
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