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examination for B. Typhosus. Golindale Laboratory agreed to accept up to
seventy specimens of stool each day, priority to be given to the gallery
staff and stewards.
4. On the 19th December, two of the patients in hospital - T.J. W. (joiner) and
5.F. (Lascar) were reported as bacteriologically positive Typhoid and at least five
other members of the crew were suspected to be suffering from Typhoid fever.
The names and addresses of 80 members of the crew who had gone on leave were
obtained and forwarded to the Medical Officers of Health of 67 districts to which
they had proceeded, together with an explanatory note.
5. On December 20th the Ministry of Health informed the Port Medical Officer
that a passenger, a child aged 9, had been admitted to hospital in Belfast,
suffering from Typhoid fever, which diagnosis was later confirmed bacteriologically.
The same day the names and addresses of all the passengers, 347, were forwarded
to the Medical Officers of Health of 123 districts to which they had proceeded,
together with an explanatory note.
It was found that the ship had taken on block ice in Brisbane and Bombay and
samples of this ice were sent to the Davenport Laboratories for examination. The
ice chambers were closed and use of the ice forbidden.
6. On De cember 24th a number of the crew were permitted to proceed on Christmas
leave. The names and addresses of 92 members of the crew were notified to the
Medical Officers of Health of the 75 districts to which they were proceeding
together with a covering note.
7. On December 26th further cases having been reported on the ship to be ill were
removed to hospital for isolation and treatment. Seeing that in most instances
the cases were symptomless, other than showing some fever, it was decided to
institute a daily muster of all the members of the crew for the purpose of taking
their temperature in order to detect any unsuspected cases of fever. It vas
realised that cases with some mild fever not associated with Typhoid would probably
be included in the numbers found but it was considered that such cases could be
eliminated in due course after they had undergone observation in hospital for a few
days. Consequently all cases found with a rise in temperature over 99°F» were
sent to Hospitalo
8. On the afternoon of the 26th a telephone message was received from the
Colindale Laboratory to the effect that the stools of two butchers matess both
Goanesej were positive for Typhoid. These men were found to be afebrile but vie re
promptly sent to hospital.
9.Owing to the number of febrile cases found among the crew, accommodation in
the Seamen's Hospital was no longer sufficient and a certain number of cases vie re
transferred to the Brook Hospital and in the later stages of the outbreak, to other
isolation hospitals in the metropolitan area. Cases picked up by General
Practitioners were admitted to nearby hospitals.
10. whenever a case of Typhoid fever or of suspected Typhoid fever was reported,
the quarters occupied by the case were closed and fumigated and the bedding and
other material liable to have been contaminated sent away for steam disinfections
80 Cabins or compartments were fumigated by Inspectors Aiken and Tope.
Approximately 3,400 pieces of bedding and laundry were dealt with. Steam
sterilization of so large a quantity involves much organisation and presents many
difficulties particularly as regards transport and storage accommodation.
The County Borough of West Ham and the Fulham Borough Council very kindly
dealt with the major portion of the material and transport was provided by
Association Fumigators Limited.
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