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On 15 th August one case of enteric fever, and on 7th September a second,
occurred on the School Board Ship " Shaftesbury," and were admitted into
the Ship's Infirmary.
Inasmuch as this same building serves as a quarantine station for the new
boys to be kept under observation before being taken on board the ship, the
system of admitting infectious cases is a most dangerous one, and certainly
should be discontinued.
In consequence of the reports of your Medical Officer the School Board
appointed an expert to inquire into and report upon the sanitary condition of
the vessel. This has since been submitted to the School Ship Committee,
and practically confirms every objection already made and brought before
your Worshipful Committee, although the recommendations go far beyond
what in my opinion is absolutely necessary, and if carried out would involve
the expenditure of a large sum of money.
What is really of most importance is that the ventilation of the vessel
generally should be greatly improved, and that the exposed surface of the iron
sides should be coated with cork or other similar preparation in order to prevent
the condensation which cannot fail to be hurtful to the health of the boys.
UNSOUND MEAT, &c.
Although there have been a considerable number of seizures during the
six months, still happily the total quantity is small, amounting only to
8,749 stones of mutton, 165 stones of beef, 16 tons 15 cwt. of onions,
7 cases of apples, 260 boxes of kippered herrings, and 19 cases of potted meat.
One large seizure has been made of about 14,950 boxes of dates, for which
a magistrate's order was obtained at the Thames Police Court. These had
become rotten on account of saturation with fresh and salt water used for the
purpose of extinguishing a fire which broke out on board.
They were sold for the purpose of distillation under a proper and sufficient
guarantee and the amount received will be paid to the owners after
deduction of expenses in accordance with the Resolution of your Worshipful
Committee.
Full details of all seizures are given in Appendix.
NUISANCES. .
The majority of nuisances injurious to health occurring in the Port come
under other headings, such as Ventilation, Cleanliness, etc., and have already
been dealt with, but few cases requiring special mention here.
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