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19
Gravesend has had the protection of the Port of London Sanitary Committee for many
unbroken years, and though the town derives much of its prosperity from the river, it has not
contributed, nor been asked to contribute, to the expense of this protection. It is naturally
expected that the town, in conformity with every other, must be prepared to meet the time
when, as must inevitably occur, cases of Small-pox arise, whatever may be the source.
The Committee are of opinion that, had Denton Hospital been considered the source of the
outbreak, it should not have been left to the late date of 15th July—the end of the outbreak—
for communication between the Authorities on a matter of such vital importance to the public
health. Small-pox, above many epidemic diseases, necessitates that the closest co-operation be
established at the earliest possible moment.
The record of the Hospital has been clean in the past, and the Port of London Sanitary
Committee do not consider that the prima facie evidence mentioned by the Corporation of
Gravesend will bear close inspection.
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) JAMES BELL.
s.s. "Suevic" arrived from Auckland on the 14th May. Two cases of
Small-pox and two possible contacts for observation were removed to Denton Hospital.
It was reported that two cases of this disease had been landed at Suez, three
suspects at Gibraltar, and two cases at Southampton, between 28th April and 12th May.
The passengers were landed at Southampton. The crew remained on board, and
its members were kept under daily observation in London.
Disinfection of the vessel and contacts was carried out at Gravesend.
The names and addresses of crew leaving the vessel were notified to the various
Medical Officers of Health
In connection with Small-pox on the s.s. "Suevic," the following is a copy of a
letter received from the Tilbury Urban District Council, together with reply sent by
your Medical Officer:—
Tilbury.
May 21st, 1919.
Dr. Willoughby, Port of London Sanitary Authority.
Dear Sir,
I am directed by my Council to call your attention to the fact that the s.s. "Suevic,"
which is reported to have had a case of Small-pox on board, is at present being fumigated in the
Tilbury Docks. My Council are of the opinion that all necessary fumigation should have been
carried out prior to the ship being allowed to enter the dock, and as they are given to understand
that a number of men have refused to work on this vessel because of this, I am instructed
to ask you for an explanation as to the circumstances.
I shall therefore be glad to hear from you, that I may report to my Council at their next
meeting.
Yours faithfully,
A. W. BUCKNER.
May 22nd, 1919.
The Clerk, Tilbury Urban District Council,
Council Offices, Tilbury.
Dear Sir,
I am in receipt of your letter of May 21st, with regard to the fumigation of s.s. "Suevic,"
which is taking place in Tilbury Dock.
All necessary fumigation with regard to the many Small-pox cases which have occurred on
the ship "Suevic" was carried out prior to that vessel's entry into the dock.
I presume your letter has reference to the Small-pox only, and not to the many fumigations
which take place for all sorts of conditions other than those of scheduled infectious
diseases, such as the fumigation to which you allude as having been carried out on this ship
in the dock. This latter fumigation was not carried out on account of Small-pox nor under the
direction of this Authority.
Yours faithfully,
W. M. WILLOUGHBY,
Medical Officer of Health,
Port of London.