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10
MEDICAL INSPECTION.
The total number of vessels medically inspected at Gravesend during the
year was 2,552.
This number is higher than any total for the preceding five years, and
considerably above the mean for that period (Table II.).
This means, of course, that increased vigilance has been necessary on the
part of your Medical Officers in dealing with the possible introduction of cases of
Plague, as well as other infectious diseases, into the country. The results of
this inspection are set out by me under the various headings in relation to
Infectious Diseases.
I have much pleasure in recording the courtesy and co-operation of the
Officers of H.M. Customs in carrying out this important duty, and especially
would I mention the Inspector of the Waterguard, J. C. Elliott, Esq., I.S.O.
I would like to take the opportunity here of pointing out that the Return
of Medical Inspections at Sheerness of vessels arriving in the Medway
(Table III.) shows that a larger proportion of foreign arrivals are visited than
was at one time the case, and it is probable that the medical inspection
there on behalf of the Port Sanitary Authority is now carried out with a
degree of efficiency not attained under any previous arrangement, a circumstance
which reflects great credit on Dr. E. V. Legge, the Boarding Medical
Officer stationed there.
The following Memoranda Avere, with the approval of your Worshipful
Committee, sent to the Brethren of the Trinity House for distribution to
Pilots and other persons concerned:—
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE GUIDANCE OF PILOTS ENTERING
THE PORT OF LONDON.
Gravesend District.
The Upper limit of the Boarding Station at Gravesend is situated at the
Customs House, and vessels should on no account proceed up River beyond
that point until visited by the Officers of H.M. Customs, with the Port
Medical Officer, and all requirements of these Officers complied with.
A Medical Officer of the Port Sanitary Authority is always on duty
at Gravesend, and accompanies the Officers of H.M. Customs to every
vessel coming "from foreign." Every endeavour is made that these
vessels shall be visited in the lower part of Gravesend Reach. I
therefore suggest for the guidance of Pilots that every vessel "from
foreign" shall slow down in the Lower Hope. That the Master be
reminded to report on arrival to the Customs Officer every case of illness
existing, or that has existed, on board during the voyage from the first port of