London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1928
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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Table C.
Cases of Infectious Sickness landed from Vessels.
| Disease. | No. of Cases during 1928. | Average No. of Cases for last five years. |
|---|---|---|
| Small-pox | - | 2.6 |
| Scarlet Fever | 15 | 9.2 |
| Diphtheria | 13 | 18.2 |
| Enteric Fever | 29 | 19.2 |
| Measles | 26 | 12.2 |
| German Measles | 60 | 2.4 |
| Erysipelas | 1 | 2.2 |
| Continued Fever | 1 | 1.0 |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 50 | 54.2 |
| Tuberculosis (other kinds) | 4 | 3.4 |
| Pneumonia | 19 | 11.2 |
| Influenza | 4 | 3.4 |
| Cerebro-spinal Meningitis | — | 0.4 |
| Dysentery | 6 | 6.2 |
| Encephalitis Lethargica | — | 0.2 |
| Malaria | 19 | 20.2 |
| Chicken-pox | 10 | 20.0 |
| Remittent and Relapsing Fever | 1 | 0.2 |
Table D.
Cases of Infectious Sickness occurring on Vessels during the Voyage, but disposed of prior to arrival.
| Disease. | No. of Cases during 1928. | Average No. of Cases for last five years. |
|---|---|---|
| Cholera | 5 | 7.2 |
| Plague | 2 | 1.8 |
| Yellow Fever | — | 0.4 |
| Small-pox | 8 | 15.4 |
| Scarlet Fever | 1 | 2.6 |
| Diphtheria | — | 2.8 |
| Enteric Fever | 43 | 28.0 |
| Measles | 21 | 51.8 |
| German Measles | 5 | 10.2 |
| Erysipelas | 3 | 1.0 |
| Continued Fever | 1 | 1.4 |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | 36 | 30.4 |
| Tuberculosis (other kinds) | — | 1.8 |
| Pneumonia | 29 | 21.0 |
| Influenza | 17 | 56.8 |
| Cerebro-spinal Meningitis | — | 0.2 |
| Dysentery | 11 | 21.0 |
| Encephalitis Lethargica | 2 | 0.2 |
| Malaria | 42 | 129.8 |
| Chicken-pox | 46 | 24.6 |
| Remittent and Relapsing Fever | — | 0.2 |
See also Appendices II. to XXII. inclusive.
Venereal Diseases and other non-notifiable sickness, see Appendices XXIII. and XXIV.
Plague.
The ss. "Nankin" arrived at Gravesend on the 29th March, 1928, from Calcutta.
The vessel left London on the 9th January, 1928, on the outward voyage, calling at
Port Said, Port Sudan and Aden. On arrival at Aden, on the 26th January, three
native firemen joined the vessel out of hospital (convalescent). One of these natives
(convalescing from Small-pox) had a temperature on joining the ship, but appeared
to be well; later he developed a headache and malaise, became rapidly worse and died
on the 29th January.
The body was buried at sea; all personal effects and bedding were thrown overboard
and the hospital fumigated with sulphur dioxide.
The immediate contacts were landed at Colombo on 3rd February, and the native
quarters fumigated.
The two other firemen who joined the vessel with the deceased were landed at
Calcutta, well.
There was no history of any mortality among the rats on board, and no other
case occurred.