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To this communication the following reply was received :—
" Local Government Board,
" Whitehall, S.W.,
"29th August, 1913.
" Sir,
" I am directed by the Local Government Board to advert to your letter
of the loth May last, suggesting that certain powers should be conferred on
Port Sanitary Authorities in the matter of the visitation and inspection of
persons on board ships arriving from ports at which Small-pox is known or
suspected to exist, and situate within 14 days' steaming of ports in this country.
" In reply, I am to state that the Board have carefully considered this
proposal both in regard to the administrative measures which would be needed
to give effect to them, and to the question of international arrangements which
would be involved, but that they do not consider, on the evidence before them
that they would be justified in adopting the course suggested.
" I am, Sir,
" Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) " THOS. PITTS,
" Assistant Secretary.
" The Town Clerk,
" Guildhall.''
The decision of the Local Government Board is to be regretted, as a serious
loop-hole exists by which it is possible for Small-pox to be introduced into this
country.
The s.s. " Mongolia," of Greenock, 117,383, arrived at Gravesend on the 21st
September, from Sydney, having landed a European steward there with a disease
suspicious of Small-pox. It was stated that he had been successfully vaccinated three
weeks previously.
All Europeans and native crew had been recently vaccinated. Necessary disinfection
was carried out at Sydney. No further cases occurred, and all were found to be well
on arrival at Gravesend.
The s.s. " Manora" of Glasgow, 133,129, arrived from Calcutta on the 17th
October, 1913, when a case of Small-pox was removed therefrom to Denton Hospital.
All necessary disinfection was carried out—the natives were vaccinated, and vaccination
was carried out in the case of all others who wished it. The names and addresses of all
the persons leaving the ship were taken and notified to the respective Medical Officers of
Health. The vessel was kept under strict observation, and on the 18th October another
case of Small-pox was found, and removed to Denton Hospital.