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The patients, with approximate dates of onset of the disease, are as follows:—
1. A Cook. 3rd May, 1928.
2. Greaser. 6th Mav, 1928 (also suffering from double pneumonia).
3. „ 7th May, 1928.
4. Scullion. 7th May, 1928.
5. Greaser. 13th May, 1928.
The ports of call, with dates, are as follows:—
Outward voyage— Homeward voyage—
March 26. Victoria Dock.* April 27. Monte Video.
April 1. Lisbon.* „ 30. Santos *
„ 2. Madeira.* May 1. Rio de Janeiro.
„ 12. Rio de Janeiro.* „ 9. St. Vincent.
„ 25. Buenos Aires * „11. Madeira.*
(Baracas BocaV „ 13. Lisbon.*
Water was taken in at those ports marked thus *. The water tanks were cleaned
out in London before the voyage.
The whole of the infected bedding, effects, &c., were removed to Denton Hospital
for steam disinfection, and the infected quarters on the vessel were washed down and
fumigated.
The place of infection seems to have been Baracas Boca, where the vessel
remained for about six days, during which time the crew went ashore.
V.—MEASURES AGAINST RODENTS.
(1) Steps taken for detection of rodent Plague:—
(a) In ships in the Port. It is the duty of Inspectors to make a close
examination during the discharge of cargo from ships arriving from foreign
ports for signs of any mortality among the rats on board. Such mortality,
if present, may be found on the opening of hatches or only when the cargo
has been partly or even completely discharged.
(b) On quays, wharves, warehouses, &c., in the vicinity of the Port.
A similar strict watch for rat mortality is kept on the quays and warehouses
of the docks. Rats are sent for bacteriological examination to the Seamen's
Hospital, Royal Albert Dock, London. An examination of spleen smears is
a routine practice in the absence of mortality. With a mortality, closer
examination is directed. No rodent Plague has occurred on shore for twelve
years. Wharves and warehouses on the riverside, apart from the docks, are
not in the jurisdiction of the Port of London Sanitary Authority.
(2) Measures taken to prevent the passage of rats between ships and shore:—
All vessels from ports where rodent Plague is known or suspected to be
present are required to have rat guards placed on all mooring ropes. In special
cases vessels are also required to be breasted off from the shore, to have the
mooring ropes parcelled and tarred as well as being guarded by metal discs, and
the gangway either fitted with a rat.proof door or lifted at night and when not
in use. Any lighters used in the discharge of the cargo must be removed from
the ship's side between dusk and daylight.
(3) Methods of deratisation of:—
(a) Ships. The methods employed for the deratisation of ships are:
Sulphur, burned, 3 lbs. per 1,000 cubic feet of space; shortest period of
exposure, six hours. Hydrocyanic acid, by liquid method or by “ Zyklon ’ B ’ ”
method; concentration, 0'2 per cent.; shortest period of exposure, two hours.
(b) Premises in the vicinity of docks and quays. Trapping and poisoning
are constantly employed by the Port of London Authority and other owners and
occupiers of premises within the Port Sanitary District, supervision being
exercised by officers of the Port Sanitary Authority.