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Daring the year under review, although a large number of rats were examined
bacteriologically, not one was found showing any evidence of being infected with
plague. This is most satisfactory, as, during the previous five years, rats infected
with plague were found on several occasions.
It is to be regretted that the Port of London Authority have not carried out the
work necessary to make the buildings in the docks, especially those which contain
foodstuffs, proof against the entrance of rats. Although no rats were found infected
with plague, your Committee propose to continue the bacteriological examination of rats,
as it is of vital importance that any such occurrence should be detected at once, and
the necessary precautions taken, not only in the interests of public health, but with
a view to protecting the interests of the maritime trade of the Port of London.
The Aliens Act which has been in force for the past eight years, and in respect of
which your Medical Officer was appointed Medical Inspector for the Port of London,
ceased to be in force with the onset of War, and the arrangements made by the
Home Office with your Medical Officer, were terminated by notice on the 31st
December, 1914.
The Home Office expressed the hope that, should it be found necessary to resume
the inspection under the Aliens Act, the services of your Medical Officer of Health
might be again available.
Some thirty cases of Enteric Fever were treated at Denton Hospital, of which two
died, and the remainder recovered. Seven cases were taken off one ship.
It is very rarely that any information can be obtained as to the arrival of cases
of infectious disease, until the vessel comes to Gravesend, so that beds and staff have
always to be kept available for any emergency that may arise.
Since pulmonary tuberculosis became a notifiable disease, special attention has
been paid to this complaint, with the result that, during the year, no less than 168 cases,
including those known as miners' phthisis, were found on vessels.
The destinations of these cases were ascertained as far as possible, and the information
notified to the Medical Officers of Health of the districts concerned, so that they may
be kept under conditions suitable not only for their recovery, but for preventing the
spread of this disease, and the cabins occupied by the patients have been efficiently
disinfected.
The Medical Officer reports certain cases where men have been engaged on three
vessels, in the preparation of food, whilst suffering from obvious signs of pulmonary
tuberculosis, and he expresses the opinion that it is desirable that a medical examination
should be made before engaging any men employed on board ship in the preparation of
food, so as to prevent those suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis from being engaged
in such work.
Two cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis were notified, and this disease, with
chicken-pox, has been notifiable during the year.
An account is given at length of the work involved in the examination of food,
which forms a very important and very large proportion of the work done by officers of
the Port of London Sanitary Authority.