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17
The history of the occurrence is as follows : The native crew signed on at Calcutta
on 4/2/32, and joined the ship at Rangoon on 10/2/32. On 19/2/32 a Lascar was taken
ill. Small-pox was diagnosed, and he was removed to hospital at Rangoon the same
day. On 24/2/32 two other Lascars reported sick and the Ship's Surgeon diagnosed
Chicken-pox. These two cases were landed at Colombo on 26/2/32. On 9/3/32 another
Lascar and on 11/3/32 two more Lascars developed Chicken-pox and were isolated on
board, subsequently being landed to hospital at Gravesend on 20/3/32.
Observations.—The three cases landed in London were obviously infected from
the two cases landed at Colombo, who were probably infected ashore either at Calcutta
or Rangoon. Since the cases landed at Rangoon were not taken ill until 19/2/32, and
the first case of Chicken-pox developed on 24/2/32, it would appear that these cases
were not connected, and therefore there is no reason to doubt the diagnosis of Small-pox
in the former case, despite the subsequent outbreak of Chicken-pox.
On 24th March four cases, and on 26th March one case of Chicken-pox developed
in the native crew while the vessel was lying in the Tilbury Dock. All these cases
were removed to the Port Sanitary Hospital at Denton.
ss. " Tainui."—On 23rd March a letter was received from the Medical Officer
of Health of Southampton to the effect that a case of suspected Small-pox had been
landed from the ss. " Tainui " on the 21st March.
The vessel arrived in London on 23rd March and was boarded by Dr. Kidd, who
ascertained that a third-class passenger, Mr. B., had embarked at Wellington on
10th February. On 17th February he fell ill, and on 21st February reported to the
Ship's Surgeon, who diagnosed modified Small-pox and promptly isolated the patient
and vaccinated all the passengers and all the crew with the exception of the firemen
and four others.
On arrival at Southampton no further case was discovered, and all necessary
disinfection was carried out.
Whilst in London the crew remaining on board were kept under daily observation.
No further cases occurred.
ss. "Oomorin."—Previous Information.—A letter was received from the
Ministry of Health on the 31st May to the effect that on the arrival of the
ss. " Comorin " at Marseilles on 27th May a case of mild Small-pox was notified
on board.

Number of Persons on Board.—Passengers, 245. Crew: Europeans, 92;
Natives, 165. (Surgeon on board.)
History of Case.—A new native crew was shipped at Bombay on 14th May. All
were alleged to have been vaccinated before joining the ship. On 25th May a Lascar
Fireman reported ill with backache and malaise. On inspection, he was found to have
a pustular rash on face, forehead, chest and back. His temperature was 102°. The
patient was isolated on board, and landed at Marseilles on 27th May with his bedding
and effects. The crew and passengers were vaccinated on board between 25th and
30th May, with the exception of 20 who refused.