View report page

11
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, who boards any vessel
ori which sickness is reported to have occurred and makes such enquiries and
examinations as are indicated.
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 distribution 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 advisable, immediate contacts are also removed from the vessels to hospital
for observation, or for bathing and disinfection of personal effects.
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 from infected ports or on which suspicious
circumstances have occurred during the voyage.
Disinfection of infected quarters is generally commenced by the Authority's Staff
before the vessel proceeds up the River, the method employed being the fumigation
with S02, followed by washing down with "Izal." Infected bedding, clothing, &c.,
is removed by launch to the Authority's hospital and disinfected by steam (see
Appendices XXV. to XXVII. inclusive).
Vessels proceeding up the River Medway are dealt with by a part-time Medical
Officer from Sheerness, whose duty it is to visit, as soon as possible, every vessel on
which sickness is reported by H.M. Customs, and to board 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 to the Port Sanitary
Authority's Hospital (see Appendix XXVIII.).
No special arrangements have been made for cleansing of persons.
Three motor launches are available for 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 and the examination of crews 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
Royal Albert Dock.
Other bacteriological examinations are carried out by Sir F. W. Andrewes, of
St. Bartholomew's Hospital.