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61
BUBONIC PLAGUE.*
At the meeting of the Sanitary Committee on the 23rd November,
the following report was presented:—
"On account of cases of plague occurring in Portuguese and
"Spanish ports, Dr. Reece, one of the Medical Inspectors of the
"Local Government Board, was instructed by that authority to confer
"with the Clerk and your Medical Officers of Health on the question
"of precautions to be taken in regard to seamen from abroad, who
"may possibly be the means of introducing plague into the district.
"Mr. Randall, the Chairman of the Sanitary Committee was present
"at the Conference.
"One of the outcomes of the Conference has been that letters have
"been sent to the medical practitioners of the Poplar District and its
"immediate neighbourhood, stating the absolute desirability that
"special attention should be paid to all seafaring persons coming
"under their notice in early stages of illness. It was pointed out in
"the communication that the incubative period of plague is estimated
"to be from five to ten days, and the duration of the voyage from
"Oporto is only four days, therefore it is quite possible for persons to
"land in an incubative stage. Moreover, Portugal is not the only
"country where plague exists at the present moment, hence the
"absolute need for careful attention in respect of all seamen. The
"practitioners were informed that patients suffering from plague will
"be immediately admitted into the hospitals of the Metropolitan
"Asylums Board upon certificates forwarded in the same manner as
"for other infectious and contagious diseases.
"Dr. Reece stated that the Local Government Board intended at
"the beginning of the year 1900, to make plague a notifiable disease.
"Printed directions were also enclosed for obtaining and sending
"material from plague cases (both from the living and from the dead)
"for bacterioscopic examination. The specimens upon being received
* See foot note page 63 and 64.