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14
On the 1st May, the s.s. " Mirzapore " took on board a fresh native crew.
On the 7th, one of them was attacked with measles. He was at once isolated
under a tent on deck, and landed at Aden with all his effects on the following
day. No other cases occurred.
On the 14th June, the s.s. "Persian Monarch" arrived at Gravesend. when
the master reported that his child was suffering from measles, but refused
to allow it to be taken to hospital, stating that he would keep it on board
until convalescent.
At this time the " Regulations " were before the Local Government Board
for confirmation, and, therefore, legally did not exist. The previous Regulations
had been declared bad in law by the Gravesend Bench, and as any
proceedings would have had to be taken before the same authority, it was
useless to summon the master.
I, therefore, simply reported the matter to the owners, calling attention, not
only to the breach of the Regulations, but to the very serious injury likely to
be caused to a passenger vessel by so extraordinary a proceeding on the part
of an officer.
A reply was received stating that the owners were unaware of the
master's action, and that they had cautioned him, and ordered him in
future to strictly obey all the Port Regulations. I need scarcely add that the
child was at once removed from the vessel. It is so clearly in the best
interests of shipowners that their vessels should be above suspicion, that no
other result could have been reasonably expected.
On the 20th, the Poplar Board of Works reported that a case of enteric
fever, which had been removed from that district, was traceable to the
s.s. " Roslin Castle."
On inquiry, it was found that the patient left Cape Town in the vessel on
28th May, and left in London on 9th April, then apparently in good health.
He was taken ill on the 20th. It is clear, therefore, that though showing
no signs of the disease on arrival, that he was infected before entering the Port.
THE HOSPITAL.
The Port Hospital has been of great value in the isolation of infectious
disease.
During the half-year one case of erysipelas, three of enteric or typhoid
fever, one of diphtheria, and ten of measles, have been under treatment there.