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20
SMALL-POX.
The number of cases of Small-pox reported and dealt with on vessels
during the year was above the average for the previous five years.
Thirty-one cases in all were reported, whereas the average for the period
referred to is 30.8.
This number is the highest since 1902, when the disease was prevalent in
London, and 93 cases were reported.
A full list is given in the Table following, from which it will be seen that
the disease occurred almost entirely on vessels which had arrived from or
called at Indian ports and ports on the Persian Gulf.
Other cases were derived from South Africa and Spain, and one occurred
on a steamer which plies between London and Newcastle-on-Tyne.
As a result of the prevalence of this disease in the East, I thought it
desirable to issue to shipowners a circular, as follows:—
"23rd February,1906.
"In consequence of cases of Small-pox having occurred on several
"vessels homeward bound from Eastern ports, and with a view to
"preventing the introduction of that disease into this country, I have to
"recommend to your notice the following suggestions:—
"That all members of the crews of your vessels trading with Indian
"ports that have not had Small-pox, or have not been recently
"successfully re-vaccinated, say within five years, should be re-vaccinated
"at the port of departure before embarking on the vessel.
"That a supply of lymph should be carried on board, and in the event
"of a case of Small-pox occurring during the voyage, any person on
"board not protected by recent vaccination or Small-pox should be
"re-vaccinated.
"I urge this, not only in the interests of public health in this country,
"but also with a view to shipowners avoiding the delay and expense which
"is entailed by the presence of infectious disease on board their vessels."
The terms of the circular met with prompt co-operation on the part of the
principal shipowners.
During June, a communication was received from the Secretary to the
Local Government Board enclosing some correspondence which had been
received from the Town Clerk of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in which it was alleged
that Small-pox had been introduced into Newcastle from a vessel viâ the
Port of London.