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10
The number of vessels fumigated for rat destruction under the supervision of
your Inspectors was 135; 68 by Sulphur Dioxide and 67 by Hydrogen Cyanide. By the
former method 905 rats and 231 mice and by the latter 1,281 rats and 227 mice
were destroyed. The average number of rats killed per fumigation was 16. If mice are
taken into consideration also, the average number of rodents destroyed by fumigation
was 19. In addition, 1,736 rats were trapped in ships and 4,911 on shore in the Port.
The former figure shows a decrease of 378 and the latter a decrease of 687 rats as
compared with the previous year. This is due to the decline in the rat population of
ships and the dock estate, and not to any relaxation of rat repressive measures.
Intimation Notices were served in respect of 6 cases of infringement of the
Bye-laws relating to Offensive Cargoes. In each instance the offender took such steps
as to render further action unnecessary.
The arrangements made with the Port of London Authority, whereby the annual
re-registration of Water Barges was made conditional upon the satisfactory report
from your Officers as to the fitness of the barges for the carriage of drinking water,
worked smoothly and efficiently during the year. Of 13 Water Barges, 2 were put
out of service and 1 new barge was placed in commission, leaving 12 in service at the
end of the year.
The arrangements made by your Worshipful Committee for the prompt inspection
of vessels having sickness on board or arriving from infected ports were easily adapted
to the new Port Sanitary Regulations which came into operation on 1st May. The
boarding launch "Howard Deighton" has given satisfactory service during the year
and has greatly facilitated the work of your Boarding Medical Officers and the safe and
speedy removal of cases of infectious sickness to your Hospital at Denton. In addition,
the launch has been able to render valuable assistance in the landing of several cases of
serious illness and accident.
Owing to the water from the well in your Hospital becoming brackish, it was
necessary to pipe in the supplv of the Gravesend and Milton Water Works Companv.
The supply from the well is still kept available for use on the garden, drain flushing, &c.
The condition of the grounds surrounding the Hospital has been further improved.
The inspection of imported foodstuffs is an important part of the work of the
Authority, and during the year 1,303 tons of foodstuffs were condemned as unfit for
human consumption and were either destroyed or disposed of for industrial purposes.
The proportion of carcases of mutton examined for Caseous Lymphadenitis remained
at 5 per cent. throughout the year; pieces of mutton continued to be subjected
to 100 per cent, examination.
A proportion of frozen ox-tongues imported from South America was examined
on arrival, the percentage found to be affected with Actinobacillosis being 0.94.
Special chemical and bacteriological examinations of the water supply at the
Tilbury Docks were undertaken, and showed that the water in the mains was excellent.
It appears, however, that the water may deteriorate bacteriologically during its passage
from the quayside hydrants to the ships' tanks, and also in the tanks themselves.
This matter is dealt with in detail in this Report.
A large number of samples of sardines were examined chemically for contamination
by lead. This question is receiving the close attention of the Portuguese packers
of sardines, and steps are being taken to prevent contamination in future packs.
A considerable number of other samples were taken under the Public Health (Imported
Food) and (Preservatives, &c., in Food) Regulations, the results of analyses being
given in detail on pages 56-61.
Legal proceedings were not taken in regard to any foodstuffs, as merchants
voluntarily surrendered everything found to be unsound or unfit for human consumption,
and there was no instance of any deliberate attempt to import food in
contravention of any of the Public Health Regulations.