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44
MEASLES.
The s.s. "Vectis," of Greenock, Official No. 81,820, arrived at Gravesend
from Marseilles on the l0th April, when a case of Measles was landed at
Denton Hospital, with all effects.
The patient embarked on the vessel at Marseilles on the 22nd March, and
was taken ill on the 4th April.
The patient is stated to have received a letter on the 22nd March from a
friend in England who was engaged in nursing a patient suffering from
Measles. If this be correct, and the period of time between the receipt of the
letter and the onset of the illness agrees with the usual incubation period of
Measles, it is interesting to note, by this illustration, a possible means of
conveyance of infection.
CHICKEN-POX.
Chicken-pox was made a notifiable disease in the Port of London for a
period of six months, from 30th November, 1905, to 31st May, 1906. This
precaution was deemed desirable in order that every case of Chicken-pox may
come under notice with a view to determining that it was not a mild case
of modified Small-pox.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
In the early part of the year it was found, on vessels usually bringing
alien immigrants from Continental ports, that several persons were suffering
from infectious disease. All these people were examined as a matter of
routine, but it was ascertained that in nearly every instance the Master knew
nothing personally of the state of health of those people, although he was
prepared to state that all persons were well on board.
The following circular letter was sent to the owners of these steamers, with
a view to bringing home the importance of this matter prominently before
their notice:—
" I have to point out that during the last few months several cases of
" infectious disease have occurred on your vessels arriving in the Port of
" London. Some of these, fortunately, were detected by the Medical
" Officer of this Authority at Gravesend, but others have been landed at
" great risk to the public health of this country.
" I enclose a copy of the Bye-laws made by this Authority with regard
" to cases of infectious disease arriving in the Port of London, from
" which you will see that the Master is responsible for reporting every
" case of illness on his vessel when he arrives at Gravesend. In the
" absence of a surgeon, the Master must, before arriving at Gravesend,
" satisfy himself—by personal examination or otherwise—that every
person on board is in good health.