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2nd Case: On 25/1/31 the ship arrived at Madras, where the Port Medical
Officer confirmed the diagnosis in the first case and discovered a second case, a native
fireman, aged 23, during his inspection of the crew. Both cases were removed to
hospital ashore. Seven more Europeans were vaccinated at their own request. The
native crew's bedding was removed and fumigated ashore, and their quarters and
the hospital were disinfected.
Later, the diagnosis of Small-pox was revised and the Master was informed
that both were cases of Chicken-pox.
3rd Case: On 29/1/31 another native fireman reported sick with an eruption
on his face, arms and legs, and was isolated on board. When the ship arrived at Aden
on 4/2/31 this case was diagnosed as Small-pox, and the patient was removed to
hospital ashore and the ship's hospital was again disinfected.
Action on Arrival in London.— All on board were closely inspected and their
condition as to vaccination recorded. No further cases were found and everyone
appeared to be protected by vaccination. The hospital and the native quarters were
sprayed with Izal solution and fumigated with sulphur. The personal effects of the
natives were spread out and exposed to the spray and fumigant. The name and
address of a passenger contact was notified to the Medical Officer of Health of his
home district. The crew remained on board and the ship sailed for Dundee on
24/2/31, the Medical Officer of that port being informed of the circumstances.
These cases were not infected on board, but on shore, before joining. They
may have been infected from different sources, and it is therefore possible that the
first two cases were Chicken-pox and the third Small-pox, modified by vaccination.
The Master of the ss. "Matra" appeared to have handled the situation particularly
well throughout the voyage.
No further case occurred.
ss. "Clan MacTaggart."—On 12th February the Ministry of Health forwarded
a copy of a telegram from the Quarantine Board of Egypt to the effect that two cases
of Small-pox had been landed at Suez from the ss. "Clan MacTaggart," on 9th
February. The ship arrived at Gravesend at 3.30 p.m., on 23/2/31, and was boarded
by Dr. Cadman, who ascertained that during the homeward voyage, four cases
diagnosed as Chicken-pox and three diagnosed as Small-pox had occurred.
Movements of Vessel.— Calcutta 4/1/31.
Chittagong 10/1/31.
Bimlipatam 12/1/31.
Coconada 18/1/31.
Madras 23/1/31.
Colombo 28/1/31.
Tuticorin 28/1/31.
Suez 9/2/31.
Algiers 16/2/31.
Number of Persons on Board.— Passengers, nil. Crew : 14 Europeans, 79 natives.
(No surgeon on board.)
History of Cases.—1st Case: On 15/1/31, 11 days out from Calcutta and while
the vessel was lying at Coconada, a native greaser reported sick with an eruption
and was isolated in the ship's hospital.
2nd, 3rd and 4th Cases.— The next day three more natives of the engine room
department were found to have a similar eruption and were placed in hospital on
board. On 23/1/31 the ship arrived at Madras and the cases were seen by the Port
Medical Officer, who diagnosed Chicken-pox and removed them to hospital ashore.
He vaccinated the immediate contacts. These four men rejoined the ship at Tuticorin
on 28/1/31.