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16
On 21st June the s.s. "Orient," on arrival, reported a case of measles two
days out from Sydney, which was successfully isolated on board.
On the 11th April the s.s. "Rome" reported a case of chicken-pox on
board
The patient refused to go to hospital voluntarily, and was allowed to leave
because chicken-pox is not included in the list of diseases under the regulations
of your Worshipful Committee.
At the time I protested against this view, and the matter was referred to
your Solicitor, who reported that chicken-pox not coming under the regulations,
the master of a vessel could not be punished for not reporting it, but
that if the authority were cognisant of the existence of the disease, as in this
case by the report of the Captain, an order could be obtained from a Justice
of the Peace, under section 124, to compel the patient to go to hospital.
This is not only law, but sound common sense, although much depends
upon the magistrate before whom the case is taken.
On the 13th April the s.s. "Beethoven" reported a fatal case of erysipelas
on voyage, and buried at sea.
The forecastle and effects were fumigated on the way up river.
On the 8th June three cases of mumps were removed from s.s.
"Peshawur," which had been lying in Royal Albert Dock for a fortnight.
They were sent to the Port Hospital at the request of the owners.
INFECTED CLOTHING.
In two instances the effects of deceased seamen have been sent home
without any notification or evidence as to the cause of death, and in two
other cases where the cause of death was known to be infectious (one smallpox
and the other malarial fever), no information was given as to their
disinfection.
All these consignments were therefore detained and thoroughly fumigated,
the facts being, as usual, reported to the Board of Trade.
As in all these cases the Board writes to the Consul or other official who
transmits the clothes, the dangerous custom is gradually dying out, and in
the great majority of cases full and complete information is now sent with
the effects. This may at first sight seem a very small matter, but I think it
must be regarded as a most important safeguard against the transmission
of infectious disease, and I have to thank your Worshipful Committee for
the very energetic manner in which you have supported me in attempting
to put a stop to what was not only a dangerous but a growing practice.