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The crew were inoculated with Plague serum, the crew's quarters were disinfected,
and the Clayton apparatus was used for the holds, &c. No dead rats were found.
Medical surveillance was maintained until the 4th June, when the vessel left for Port
Said. C02 fumigation had been done at Shanghai when the vessel was empty, on
the 12th April, only five dead rats were discovered. 8,000 tons of wheat were put
on board at Dalny at the end of April. (Dalny Bill of Health clean). No rats were
seen on board after the Shanghai fumigation, and examination at Gravesend failed to
detect any traces of rats.
The crew were all well on inspection at Gravesend, and the vessel was allowed to
proceed to dock. The crew stood by the ship under observation. No further
suspicion of Plague was aroused.
s.s. "Sabor" arrived from Rio Grande do Sul on the 27th August. On the
24th July a fireman become ill with fever and swelling in left groin. He was isolated
at once. On the 31st July a trimmer was taken ill with fever, apathy, weak pulse and
swellings in both groins. On arrival at Rotterdam, on the 7th August, both cases
were landed as suspected Plague. Bacteriological investigations were said to have
been made at St. Vincent and Eotterdam, but no reports had been received on the ship.
On arrival at Gravesend, the crew were inspected and their names and addresses
taken, verified and notified on to the various Medical Officers of Health.
Cargo on board consisted of wet hides, coffee, tobacco, and meat in cases. There
were no cereals. Part cargo was discharged at Eotterdam and Hamburg. 500 tons
for London remained on board. The vessel was fumigated at Hampton Eoads, September,
1920, on the outward voyage. At Santos, on the homeward voyage, nine hours
Claytonising of all holds, living quarters and stores was done, but no rats were seen
or found dead. At Eotterdam the vessel discharged in quarantine. At Hamburg
24 hours treatment with the Nocht-Giemsa (Carbon Monoxide) process was given,
and the quarters were sulphured. Six dead rats were found in the holds and examined
bacteriologically; they were free from Plague.
The ship thereafter was alongside the wharf at Hamburg without restriction.
The vessel was allowed to proceed to the Victoria Dock to be kept under strict
observation. The vessel afterwards sailed for Newport, Mon., the Medical Officer
of Health there being informed of the circumstances.
s.s. "City of Milan" arrived from Calcutta on the 9th August. The second
cook was ill with a swelling in the groin and was removed to Denton Hospital, as a
suspicious case. Patient was found to be suffering from septic femoral gland, and
was discharged op the 15th August.
s.s. "Omar" arrived from Brisbane on the 4th October. On the 16th September
the sixth engineer was taken ill with enlarged gland and fever. Patient had been unwell
for some time with small abscesses in right hand and buttock. Patient was landed at
Suez on the 18th September, as a case suspicious of Plague.
The whole of firemen's and engineers' quarters were disinfected at Suez.
Subsequent information was negative as regards Plague. On arrival at Gravesend
the vessel was found to be infested with rats, and was fumigated in dock.