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In the case of vessels infected with Plague, Yellow Fever or Cholera, they are
ordered to moor opposite the Hospital, this being the place appointed in accordance with
the Local Government Regulations relating to those diseases.
The Medical Officer at Sheerness adopts the same routine in respect to vessels
entering the River Medway, which is within the jurisdiction of this Authority, and
when a case of Infectious Disease is found, the vessel either proceeds to Denton
to land the case and be disinfected, or the launch proceeds to Sheerness, and the patients
and infected effects are brought to Denton. Disinfection of the vessel in the latter
case is done at Sheerness.
Cases of Infectious Disease occurring within the limits of the Port are removed by
launch, when practicable, with all infected effects, to Denton.
The procedure of disinfection is the same in all Infectious Diseases, but in the case
of Plague where a case of human or rat Plague is proved to exist on board the ship,
that vessel must be fumigated with a view to the destruction of all rats and vermin on
board.
The Port of London Sanitary Authority is equipped with an apparatus for the
generation of Sulphur Di-oxide, which can be propelled into the holds of vessels for
the destruction of rats and vermin. This apparatus is carried on a specially equipped
barge, towed by one of the steam launches to any part of the Port, where it may be
required.
C.—Bacteriology.
Examinations for the final diagnosis of Plague and Cholera are carried out by
Professor F. W. Andrewes, M.D., of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, on behalf of, and at
the expense of the Port Sanitary Authority, whilst the initial bacteriological examination
of rats is done by Dr. Newham, the Director of the London School of Tropical Medicine,
in the laboratory of the School situated in the Royal Albert Dock, to whom the rats
are conveyed in closed tins containing an efficient disinfecting solution.
D.—Water Supply.
An ample supply of drinking water of good quality is available for supply to
vessels at Grave send and at all the docks in the Port.
It will therefore be seen that the Port of London Sanitary Authority is well
equipped and in a position to deal with any possible epidemic with absolute confidence.
CHOLERA.
Cholera has been prevalent in India during the past year, especially in the Bombay
Presidency, where 100,000 cases have been reported, with a mortality of 50 per cent.
In the Madras Presidency also about 100,000 cases occurred, with a similar mortality
rate. In Bengal, and also in the French Settlements in India, Cholera was also present.
This disease also broke out in the Straits Settlements, Siam, French India and China,
Dutch East Indies, Japan, and China. A few cases also occurred at Tunisia and in
Turkey in Asia, where the disease was probably introduced by the pilgrims returning
from Mecca. The disease was also carried to Constantinople, and a severe epidemic
broke out amongst the troops in Turkey in Europe.