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The "Arethusa," off Greenhithe, is so much farther up the river that such
an arrangement would hardly be satisfactory. The matter has repeatedly been
urged upon the Committee by your officers, but the maintenance of the vessel
is a work of charity and dependent upon public subscriptions. While, therefore,
the Committee are extremely anxious to do whatever they can in the
matter, they are naturally bound to exercise the strictest economy. At the
present time an attempt is being made to obtain a suitable isolated house
which can be adapted for the purpose.
SCARLET FEVER.
On 8th May a boy was removed to Seamen's Hospital, from "Arethusa,"
suffering from scarlet fever.
The patient was taken ill on 1st and was at once removed to the "Chichester"
and thence to a boathouse on shore, this last removal being necessary on
account cf the "Chichester" being given up by the Society.
The case was diagnosed as scarlet fever on 7th, and removed in the launch to
the Seamen's Hospital.
The boathouse and all effects were fumigated.
At first the nature of the illness was very doubtful. No source of infection
was traced and the lad had not been on leave. There were no cases in
Greenhithe.
On 22nd May a case of scarlet fever was removed from steam ship "Rose."
The vessel arrived from Seaham on 18th; on 19th patient went to hospital
for simple sore throat and was seen daily.
On 22nd it was reported as scarlet fever and moved to Port Sanitary
Hospital in the ambulance boat and the vessel fumigated.
The master reported that there had been many cases of scarlet fever in
Hartlepool.
OTHER DISEASES.
On 16th January steam ship "Ballaarat" on arrival at Gravesend reported
case of measles.
A Lieutenant, R.N., came on board at Gibraltar on 9th inst. and was taken ill
same day, the rash appearing on 10th. As he was convalescent on arrival he
was allowed to leave, his cabin and goods having been disinfected.