View report page

The Report sets out a list of Officers forming the staff of the Port of
London Sanitary Authority on the 31st December, 1908, and also gives an
outline of the development of the Authority, with the respective increases in
its staff, from its creation in 1872.
Details are given of the number of cases of Infectious Disease reported
during the year, which is the highest number reached during the past ten years.
The Report also refers to the epidemic of Cholera which existed in Russia
during the latter months of the year, and particulars are given showing the
precautions adopted for the medical inspection of vessels arriving in the
Thames from Russian ports, and also for dealing with the passengers arriving
on such vessels.
The Bye-laws relating to Infectious Diseases have been amended, and have
received the sanction of the Local Government Board. These are set out in
full. The Bye-laws as amended will strengthen the hands of the Officers of the
Authority in dealing with cases of infectious disease, as any ship now arriving
within any part of the Port of London with a case of infectious disease on
board can now be dealt with.
The Medical Officer gives a short account of an outbreak of plague amongst
rats in one of the docks, together with the steps taken for stamping out
the epidemic.
This is the first occasion on which plague has been known to occur amongst
rats in the Port of London, and the Medical Officer rightly draws attention
to the importance of this, not only as affecting the public health, but as to its
effect upon the trade of the Port of London.
A floating disinfecting plant has been sanctioned by your Honourable
Court, and will be in use at an early date, so that ships in the Port of London
will be able to be fumigated with a view to the destruction of rats on board.
Regulations have been made by the Local Government Board under the
Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, and an abstract of these is
furnished.
Food Inspection in the Port of London has been carried on for many years
under many difficulties, but the additional powers conferred upon this
Authority will enable this work to be carried out to a greater extent than
formerly, and additions to the staff of Inspectors have been sanctioned by
your Honourable Court. The quantities of unsound food destroyed during
the year are also given, together with a table showing the quantities of meat
destroyed during the last four years.