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17
As an instance of the extent to which quarantine regulations can be carried
may be mentioned the fact that during the months July to October seven
clean and healthy vessels trading with Spain were fumigated by this Authority
at the request of the owners, who, of course, paid for the accommodation
simply because if they returned to Spanish ports infected with cholera they
were liable to detention by reason of their haying left the same places and not
having since undergone fumigation.
UNSOUND FOOD.
The quantity of unsound food destroyed has as usual been by no means
large, and bears a very small proportion to the total amount received.
In all 961 carcases of mutton, 580 packages of fish, 27 cases of fresh fruit,
and 25 tons of vegetables have been thus dealt with.
One large seizure was that of about 1,000 tons of currants which were sunk
in steam ship "Vulcan" on 18th October.
These were sold, while underwater, by auction on the understanding that if
utilized in France, with the consent of the Sanitary Authority there, they
would not be condemned.
The Thames Conservancy, however, failing to raise the wreck the currants
could not be got out and thus became putrid. They were therefore seized
and an order obtained from a magistrate for their complete destruction.
They are being carried out to sea and thrown overboard by the Thames
Conservancy, the Port Sanitary Authority having agreed to pay one half of
the actual cost incurred in moving them in lighters from the ship and
destroying them. The Conservancy obviously taking the duty of unloading
the vessel.
INFECTED CLOTHING.
In spite of all that has been done, " infected " clothing is still from time to
time sent home either by private individuals or by shipping masters and other
Government Officials.
Nine instances of this have occurred during the past half-year.
Two of the late owners were stated to have died from "fever," and two
from " cholera," while in the remaining cases the cause of death was either
not stated, or so stated as to be unintelligible. They all, however, agreed in
one point, viz. : that there was no evidence of any kind that they had been
fumigated or treated in any way.