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14
A case was reported as having been removed from a vessel in the River
Tyne, and the following cases were reported on vessels arriving in the Port of
London:—
On the 5th March the s.s. "Persia," of Greenock, from Bombay, arrived
and reported that on arrival at Aden on the 9th March, a post office sorter left
the vessel, and that three days after landing he was taken ill and found to be
suffering from Plague. The vessel was thoroughly disinfected at Suez. No
further cases occurred, but the surgeon of the vessel was found to be suffering
from feverish symptoms of an obscure nature, and was landed at the Port
Sanitary Hospital for observation. The bacteriological and other tests applied
proved, however, that the disease was not Plague. As a precautionary
measure, the vessel was kept under daily observation while staying in the
Port.
On the 5th May the s.s. "Pekin," of Liverpool, arrived from Bombay. On
April 30th a native fireman had complained of pain, and on examination was
found to have a large swelling on the left side, and on arrival of the vessel at
Gravesend he was removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital for observation, but
on examination by Dr. Klein of material furnished, he reported that the
results were negative as regard Plague.
On the 10th June the s.s. " Bavaria," of Glasgow, from Calcutta, arrived and
reported that on the 4th May, one day after leaving Calcutta, a native became
ill, died on the 6th and was buried at sea. The history of the case was most
suspicious of Plague. Careful medical inspection was therefore made of all
persons on board before the vessel proceeded to dock. The vessel, with all
bedding and effects, had been disinfected at Suez. No further case of
sickness occurred on the vessel.
On the 10th July the s.s. "Malta," of Greenock, from Bombay, arrived and
reported that in the early part of the previous December the vessel had landed
a case of Plague at Bombay, and that there were then on board two natives with
glandular swellings and fever suspicious of Plague. These cases were
removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital and the bacterioscopic examination was
at once conducted by Dr. Klein, but with negative results. Precautionary
measures were, however, taken, all bedding and effects, together with native
quarters, being thoroughly disinfected by your officers. No further cases
occurred.
The s.s. "Weybridge," 98,156, registered in the Port of London, left
Colastine, River Plate, on October 13th, 1904, calling at Rosario in order
to complete loading on the same day.
She sailed thence for London, calling at St. Vincent, November 12th, and
at Ferrol, in Spain, November 23rd. Neither Plague, Yellow Fever or
Cholera was known to exist at either of these ports, the Bills of Health were