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The decision to isolate the cases in hospital was due to the fact that the date of
onset and the date of the first consumption of fresh vegetables taken on at Port Said
coincided approximately with the incubation period of Enteric Fever.
A letter was addressed to the owners of the vessel calling their attention to the
conditions on board.
All the patients' bedding and effects were removed to Denton Hospital for steam
disinfection, and the necessary disinfection on board the vessel carried out.
The vessel sailed from London on 28th November bound for Jarrow, and the
Tyne Port Health Authority was advised of the circumstances.
CASES TREATED IN THE AUTHORITY'S PORT ISOLATION HOSPITAL
AT DENTON.
I am indebted to Dr. Hugh Willoughby, Acting Deputy Medical Officer of Health
for the following report on the cases treated at Denton Hospital during the year
1938:—
"One hundred and ninety-nine patients were admitted to Denton Hospital
during 1938, this being the greatest number in the recent history of the hospital.

"Of the above cases the fatal case of smallpox will be remembered for
the intensity of the infection, the eruption becoming rapidly confluent, followed
by his death 3½ days later.
"The high number of tonsillitis, scarlet fever and dysentery cases
are partly accounted for by a small epidemic in training ships in the case of
the first two named, and by an outbreak of acute food poisoning in a tanker
in the last named.
"One case of malaria was admitted with Blackwater Fever and by means
of rapid alkalinisation made a quick and uneventful recovery. This patient
was admitted in July, and was grateful enough to report at monthly intervals,
informing us of his continued good health.
"He was still well and back at work as recently as December, 1938.
"The case of Kala Azar was of unusual interest. The patient was a
member of the International Brigade fighting in South-East Spain, who deserted
after being wounded, and found his way to England for repatriation to Canada.