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11
INFECTIOUS DISEASES.
I am happy to be able to report that the health of the Port has been most
satisfactory.
Practically no disease of any importance has existed during the past
half-year.
Below I give brief particulars of the few cases reported :—
On the 3rd July a doubtful case of small-pox was removed to the Port
Sanitary Hospital from the steamship " Oceana," lying in the Royal
Albert Dock. The vessel had been lying in London since 11th June, and
the infection must, therefore, have originated here. After arrival at Hospital
the disease developed, and was recognised as chicken-pox.
On the 8th of August a patient left the steamship " Cartagena," feeling
unwell, went to the Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, and was at once sent on
to the Metropolitan Asylums Board's Hospital for small-pox, and the case
reported to your Medical Officer.
The vessel had arrived on the previous day, and had sailed from Genoa
and Carthagena, and it was possible that the disease was contracted at
either of these Ports. The vessel was at once fumigated, re-vaccination
offered to the crew gratuitously, and notice sent to the Sanitary Authority at
Granton, to which place she was bound.
On 9th July the steamship " Kaikoura " reported, on arrival, a convalescent
case of enteric fever. Nothing was necessary beyond the fumigation of cabin
and effects.
On 14th September a case of enteric fever was taken to the Metropolitan
Asylums Board's Hospital from the barge " Minnie," lying at Woolwich.
She left the Colne on 8th, and the mate's wife was taken ill the same
day, and was supposed to be suffering from sea-sickness. On the 14th she
was visited by a medical man, who certified the disease to be enteric fever.
She was removed to Hospital by the Woolwich Local Board of Health, who
applied for payment of expenses incurred in so doing.
This I refused on the ground that, had the case been reported to the Port
Sanitary Authority, the patient would have been removed to Hospital in the
ordinary way without any expense.