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Observations.—Although it was reported by the Chief Officer that Small-pox was
prevalent amongst the workers in the date packing factories in Basra, the patient could
not have been infected there as four weeks elapsed between his leaving that port and
the onset of symptoms of illness. Careful search was made for a "missed" case, but
none was found. The patient was not ashore in Port Said, but numerous bum-boat
men boarded the vessel there and mixed with the crew. Just twelve days elapsed
between the vessel leaving Port Said and the first symptoms of illness in this case. The
rash appeared five or perhaps four days later. It therefore seems probable that
infection took place at Port Said.
ss. "Jervis Bay."—On 17th November the Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line
informed this Authority that they had received a wireless message from the Master of
the ss. "Jervis Bay" to the effect that a lady passenger had died on board on the
night of the 16th November from Hæmorrhagic Small-pox.
Movements of Vessel.—The vessel was bound from Australia to London via
Southampton, calling at Colombo, Port. Said and Malta.
Number of Persons on Board.—Passengers, 215 (all landed at Southampton,
21st November). Crew, 171 (British).
History of Case.—The patient, accompanied by her husband, had been touring
Palestine and had travelled by local steamer from Haifa to Port Said, where she
embarked on the "Jervis Bay" on 11th November. The next day she complained
of headache and vomiting. These symptoms continued despite treatment until the
evening of 14th November, when she developed a morbilliform rash, principally on
the trunk and legs. The patient was immediately isolated in the ship's hospital, and
her cabin, clothes and bedding were disinfected. The next day she had a high
temperature and there were haemorrhages into the skin, particularly on the trunk,
face and arms. On 16th November the temperature fell to normal and the patient
was collapsed. There was extension of the haemorrhages into the skin and also
haemorrhages from the mucous membranes. The patient rapidly sank, and died at
6.15 p.m. She was buried at sea at 11 p.m. the same night. The deceased had been
vaccinated in infancy only and presented one good mark.
Action taken prior to Arrival.—Upon removal of the patient to the ship's isolation
hospital her cabin was disinfected by means of Formalin and sealed. Her bedding and
effects were disinfected in the steam disinfector on board. After the death of the
patient the isolation hospital was disinfected with Formalin and sealed, the bedding
and clothing were steam disinfected and the mattress thrown overboard. Her husband
was isolated in his cabin.
Everybody on board, except three passengers (two of whom refused and one
who had had Small-pox), was vaccinated during the night of 16th November and
early morning of 17th November.
A daily medical inspection was carried out until the arrival of the ship at
Southampton.
Action taken upon arrival at Southampton.—The vessel arrived at Southampton
during the night of 20th November and was dealt with by the Southampton Port
Sanitary Authority. The cabin occupied by the patient and the isolation hospital were
again disinfected. Her bedding and effects were removed ashore for steam disinfection.
All passengers' bedding and linen were landed at Southampton and not returned to
the ship. The passengers and crew were examined. All passengers landed at
Southampton.
Action taken upon arrival at London.—The vessel arrived at Gravesend at
3 a.m. on 22nd November. She was boarded by the Deputy Medical Officer of Health,
the Boarding Medical Officer on duty, a Sanitary Inspector and a Clerk. The whole