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15
The following circular letter was sent to the owners of ships coming from ports
infected with Plague, Yellow Fever and Cholera:—
Port of London Sanitary Authority,
51, King William Street, Greenwich,
London, S.E.,
23rd April, 1913.
Gentlemen,
As you are aware, vessels arriving from or calling at ports infected with
Plague, Yellow Fever and Cholera, are required to stop on arrival at Gravesend
for the purpose of Medical inspection.
In the case of vessels carrying a Surgeon, a medical certificate is furnished
by him stating whether any sickness has occurred during the voyage. He usually
signs a certificate similar to that enclosed herewith, and if this be satisfactory,
the Medical Officer of this Authority may, at his discretion, forego the detailed
examination of all persons on board, the necessity for turning round and mooring
the ship when arriving at Gravesend on a flood tide is thus, in the majority of
instances, obviated.
It has been found that the Surgeons of ships, in some instances, have
signed these certificates indicating that there had been "no sickness during the
voyage," and that he had "examined all persons on board within twelve hours
of arrival, and found them all in good health," but the Medical Officer of this
Authority has subsequently found persons on board suffering with Small-pox
and other infectious diseases.
I regret to find that the importance and value of these certificates, from the
shipowners' point of view, have not been appreciated, and it will, therefore, be
necessary in future to accept such certificates only from the Surgeons of ships
belonging to owners who can ensure that the answers given by their Masters
and Surgeons can be relied upon.
I would point out that under the Regulations of the Local Government
Board relating to Plague, Yellow Fever and Cholera, any Master or other person
is required to answer truly all such questions put to him and give all such
information in pursuance of such order, and that the Master and Surgeon is
required to state whether there is or has been on board during the voyage any
case or suspected case of Plague, Yellow Fever or Cholera or any other fever or
sickness.
Neglect to comply with these Regulations entails, on conviction, a penalty
not exceeding 100/.
I am aware of the possible loss which may result from detaining ships for
the purpose of examining all persons on board in the interest of Public Health,
and before I issue instructions accordingly, I desire to know whether it will be
possible for you to take such measures and give such instructions as will ensure
that all cases of illness of any nature whatsoever on board on arrival or that may
have occurred during the voyage, will be reported on the arrival of the vessel at
Gravesend, to the Medical Officer of this Authority who accompanies the Officers
of His Majesty's Customs to every vessel arriving from foreign whether by
night or day.
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.) HERBERT WILLIAMS, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health, Port of London.
The replies received have been most satisfactory, the owners in practically every
case having been most willing to co-operate with the Port Sanitary Authority.