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8
For the detection of infectious disease on vessels arriving from foreign ports
it is necessary to provide for vessels—
(1) Proceeding up the River Thames.
(2) Proceeding up the River Medway.
In respect of vessels proceeding up the River Thames, the Port Sanitary Authority
maintains a hulk moored in the River, off Gravesend, about twenty-six miles below
London Bridge, on which a Medical Officer is always on duty, day and night.
The Customs Boarding Station is also at Gravesend, and the Port Medical Officer
accompanies the Customs Officer, who visits by motor launch all vessels from
"foreign."
Although no arrangements have been made for notifying the Port Sanitary
Authority of the arrival of inward vessels requiring special attention, notice is
frequently given to the Authority by shipowners and others.
All vessels from foreign ports are visited by a Medical Officer in the Customs
launch in Gravesend Reach. The questions are put by the Customs Officer, and the
answers made by the masters are heard by the Medical Officer, and all cases of reported
sickness during the voyage examined or enquired into.
Ships from ports in the Eastern Hemisphere, South of latitude 45° N. (except
European ports West of longitude 20° E.), and ships from ports in the Western
Hemisphere, South of latitude 30° N., are considered as from "infected ports," and
are boarded and examined, whatever the report. Ports, or rather coast-lines containing
ports, are added or exempted according to reports of the movement of infection.
Medical examination under this system, whether in spite of a negative or because
of a positive report of illness, has from time to time led to the detection of serious
conditions of infection.
Cases of infectious disease on incoming vessels are removed in the Port Sanitary
Authority's motor launch to the Authority's hospital for infectious diseases, which
is situated on the river bank at Denton, just below Gravesend. In cases where it is
deemed advisahle, immediate contacts are also removed from the vessels to hospital
for observation.
In some cases, e.g., vessels on which Plague or Small-pox has occurred, the
names and addresses of all the passengers and crews are taken, and forwarded with the
necessary information to the Medical Officers of Health of the districts to which they
are proceeding.
The vessels come again under scrutiny by a Sanitary Inspector while in the Port,
special attention being given to those on which there has been suspicious circumstances
during the voyage.
Disinfection of infected quarters is generally carried out by the Authority's
Staff before the vessel proceeds up the Eiver, the method employed being by burning
sulphur and washing down with "Izal." Infected bedding, clothing, &c., is removed
by launch to the Authority's hospital and disinfected by the Washington Lyons
apparatus.
Vessels proceeding up the Eiver Medway are dealt with by a part-time Medical
Officer from Sheerness, whose duty it is to visit within about twelve hours of arrival
every vessel from "foreign" remaining within the jurisdiction of the Port of London
Sanitary Authority.
Cases of infectious disease on such vessels would be removed by launch to the
Port Sanitary Authority's hospital.
No special arrangements have been made for cleansing of persons.
Three motor launches are available for ambulance transport of cases of infectious
disease occurring within the Port.
The detection of venereal disease generally results from questioning the masters
and surgeons of vessels, or the examination of such members of crews as are mustered
for examination at the request of the Medical Officer.
Handbills showing where free treatment can be obtained by seamen are distributed
on vessels.
Bacteriological examinations of rats, &c.., are carried out for the Authority
by arrangements with the Seamen's Hospital Society at their Hospital in the
Eoyal Albert Dock.