View report page

Inspector in whose area the vessel berths. Should, however, the space requiring
disinfection be large a private firm is employed who carries out the disinfection
under the supervision of the Sanitary Inspector.
Although Denton Hospital has been closed for the reception of cases, the Disinfecting
Station, containing a Washington Lyons Steam Disinfector has been available
for the disinfection of clothing, bedding etc.
(c) Premises for the temporary accommodation of persons for whom such accommodation
is required for the purposes of the Regulations-
So far it has not been necessary to make special provision on a large scale,
and if the necessity did arise the ship would be detained until temporary accommodation
ashore had been found.
(d) Hospital accommodation available for Plague, Cholera, Yellow Fever, Smallpox
and other infectious diseases-
During the closure of Denton Hospital arrangements have been made with the
Medical Officers of Health of the Essex County and the Grays Thurrock Rural District
Council for the reception of cases of infectious disease.
Every endeavour is being made to re-open the Isolation Hospital at Denton in
the coming year.
(e) Ambulance Transport-
The launch "Howard Deighton" used by the Medical Officers as a Boarding launch
is fitted with an ambulance room on deck with accommodation for four stretcher
cases or eight walking cases.
The middle river launch the "ALFRED ROBERTSON" has a fairly spacious after
cabin in which a patient could be carried but would only be used as such should the
"Howard Deighton" be out of commission.
The Port Health Committee has under consideration the building of another
launch to work in co-operation with the "Howard Deighton" and in addition has acquired
a motor road ambulance which will be put into use when the Hospital re-opens.
(f) Supervision of contacts-
The method of dealing with contacts who are leaving a ship has been described
on page 9.
Arrangements for the Bacteriological or Pathological Examination of Rats.
The bacteriological examination of rats for plague is carried out in the
laboratories of the Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich,
Specimens of rats caught in shore premises or killed on board ship by fumigation
are collected by the Rodent Officers and conveyed to the Seamen s Hospital in
special tin boxes.
Each rat has attached to its hind leg a small label on which is written a
letter combination indicating the dock where the rat was obtained and a number. In
the case of a ship rat, the name of the ship. The daily returns of the Rodent
Officers indicate clearly this letter-number combination, with a further note showing
exactly where and how each rat was obtained.
Should a rat be found to be plague infected the laboratory would at once
notify the Medical Officer, quoting the letter- and number on the label attached to
the rat in question and a reference to the Rodent Officer's report, would indicate
exactly where plague preventive measures should be instituted.
(10)