London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1925

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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6
5, Church Passage,
Guildhall, E.C. 2.
January, 1926.
TO THE WORSHIPFUL THE PORT OF LONDON SANITARY COMMITTEE.
Gentlemen,
I have the honour of presenting my Annual Report for the year ending with
December, 1925.
The number of vessels on which a complete Medical Examination was carried
out on arrival was 996. On these and other vessels, the number of cases of illness
reported to, and inquired into by your Medical Officers, was 673. Seventy-five
cases were removed to Denton Hospital.
No cases of plague, cholera or typhus fever have been dealt with. 37,414 rats
have been recorded as destroyed on ships during the voyage or in port and in the
dock areas. 1,929 rats were specially examined for plague but no mortality or other
suspicious circumstance among rats in the port has arisen which could afford an
examination likely to be positive. No plague infected or suspected rats have been
found.
An interesting experience of Smallpox is recorded in ss. " Hadrian " ; as
also an outbreak of mild Scarlatina on the Training Ship " Warspite."
The staff carried out 84 disinfections on shipboard on account of infectious
disease. Of 113 vessels fumigated for the destruction of rats, 28 were to the
requirements of the Port Sanitary Authority and six at the request of Ship Owners.
Food and Sanitary Inspections have been carried out satisfactorily and the
office staff have coped with a considerable increase of work in a way that has
rendered the inspections effective. Throughout the personnel of the Authority,
duties have been thoroughly rendered.
New legislation has been reproduced in the Report. The Public Health (Meat)
Regulations, 1924, came into force on the 1st April. The Public Health (Imported
Food) Regulations, 1925, came into force on the 1st June. The last have afforded
considerable work in the newly attempted regulation of imported fats.
The finding of Arsenic on imported apples caused some concern. The attitude
that the arsenic is a beneficial medication, towards which an inclination is found in
some quarters, is impossible to approve or countenance in any way. Two consignments
of apples were rejected on account of excessive amounts.
The motor launch " Joseph White" replaced the steam launch " Lady
Truscott " on the 1st May.
Attention has been called to the requirement of a new Smallpox Pavilion at
Denton Hospital.
As customary, the Annual Report on the working of the Canal Boats Acts
and Regulations is appended.

TABLE I.—MEDICAL INSPECTION. From 1st January to 31st December, 1925.

(a) Gravesend.

Jan.Feb.MarchAprilMayJunejulyAugustSept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Total.
No. Medically Inspected918188837670849274898682996
No. of Passengers3043968331,1296578211,1601,4101,4958016971909,893
No. of Crews4,155 13,0094,0243,9253,3355,2905,0706,3084,6585,2704,7875,85255,683
No. of Foreign Arrivals9108641,0461,0201,1591,2031,1781,1551,098 1,1931,0771,02712,930
(6) Sheerness.
Jan.Feb.MarchAprilMayJune: JulyAugustt Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Total.
No. Medically Inspected-----3-l----4
No. of Passengers-------------
No. of Crews-----102-49----151
No. of Foreign Arrivals2419222817474949414838*18400

* Return incomplete.