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44
The vessel left Calcutta on the 7th March. On the 18th, a native greaser
and a Lascar were landed at Chittagong, after examination by the Port
Medical Officer, as suffering from symptoms suspicious of Small-pox.
All the natives were bathed, and their effects and quarters disinfected
before leaving.
A Lascar who joined the ship at this port complained of headache on the
2nd April, that is, 14 days later, and a rash appeared on his face the
same day.
He was landed at Suez on the 6th April, and disinfection of the native
quarters again carried out.
A fortnight later, on the 19th, a deck tindal was taken ill with pains in
back and other symptoms, the rash making its appearance next day.
He was removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital on the vessel's arrival at
Gravesend on the 21st, where disinfection of all the native quarters, bedding
and effects was carried out.
In view of the history, precautions were adopted to prevent the spread of
infection, the names and addresses of passengers and other persons leaving
the vessel being taken and forwarded to the Medical Officers of Health for the
districts to which they were going.
This case was definitely Chicken-pox, and probably the previous cases were
also of this nature. The series is of interest as showing how disease may be
brought to this country by a vessel after a voyage of several weeks.
These cases further illustrate the possibility of mistaking Chicken-pox
for Small-pox, and it frequently happens that cases of modified Small-pox
are diagnosed as Chicken-pox.
This may lead to most dangerous consequences, and therefore it is wise at
all times, when Small-pox is in any way prevalent, to include Chicken-pox
as a notifiable disease.
The total number of cases notified was 32, of which 25 were treated in the
Port Sanitary Hospital.