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The patient was examined immediately on boarding the vessel on the 5th August and was
found still to have some scabs on the face, particularly one at the root of his nose which on
pressure yielded some purulent material.
The clinical diagnosis in this case was against smallpox, a diagnosis which also agreed with
the negative findings of the complement fixation test that had come through before leaving
London on the 4th August.
Case 2. P..G.., aged 7, embarked at Bombay 20.7.54.
Vaccination History.
As baby with two good scars—yearly since. Last in June, 1954. Never taken since
primary.
31.7.54. Complained of sore throat—fever. Fauces infected—not swollen; no exudate.
Temp. 100.4°F.
2.8.54. Still febrile. Temp. 100.4°F. Vaccination postponed.
3.8.54. Temp. 101°F. A few small pustules, septic looking but with no clear vesicles; not
umbilicating but crusting on top. No reason found for his pyrexia; no spots on mucous membrane
of mouth. Removed to ship's isolation hospital. No spots or vesicles anywhere else on body.
4.8.54. Vesicles drying up. Temperature normal. Vaccinated.
5.8.54. Vesicles dry and patient well.
On examination by Dr. Banks, the Smallpox Consultant, there were two spots on the
forehead and one on each cheek near the nose. The submaxillary gland on each side was
enlarged—corresponding to one spot. Fauces nil. Patient well. The spots were fiat and
superficial.
Diagnosis.
Not smallpox. Septic spots and sore throat. Nevertheless, as there remained a very
slight uncertainty about this case and as an extra precaution, crusts were taken for laboratory
tests to be undertaken at the Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, and these were sent
by hand to the laboratory immediately on arrival of the vessel at Gravesend on the 6th August.
Hospital Admissions.
The patient and his mother were transferred to the Port Health Ambulance Launch on
arrival of the vessel at Gravesend and admitted to Denton Hospital which had already been
evacuated in accordance with the routine laid down for the reception of smallpox cases and
with arrangements made by your Medical Officer before leaving London on the 4th August.
Vaccination of Passengers and Crew.
The entire ship's company, including the two suspected smallpox cases (Passengers 910
plus 4 Distressed British Seamen = 914 and 533 Crew—259 European and 274 Asiatics) had
already been vaccinated or re-vaccinated by the two Ship's Surgeons before arrival at Brixham.
Other Cases of Infectious Illness.
The only other cases of infectious illness that had occurred during the voyage were two cases
of measles which had been isolated in the ship's hospital and had already fully recovered some
time before the suspected smallpox cases were discovered.
Pratique.
Having reviewed all the facts and circumstances as outlined in the above report your
Medical Officer decided that it would not be necessary to muster the ship's company,for medical
inspection and, therefore, free pratique was granted before the ship berthed at Tilbury Dock.
Disinfection.
The Cabin (No. 665) occupied by the G.. family had been sealed up and on arrival at
Gravesend the contents of the cabin, including the personal effects of the occupants, were
removed to Denton Hospital for disinfection. The cabin was again locked up pending fumigation
and washing down which was carried out when the vessel berthed in the Tilbury Docks.
The Ship's Female Isolation Hospital was stripped of all linen, etc., for disinfection at Denton
Hospital and subjected to fumigation in the same way as the cabin.
Further Information on the Results of Laboratory Tests.
Z..M.. —Egg Culture Test—Negative.
P..G.. —Complement Fixation and Egg Culture Tests both Negative.
Re-Vaccination of P..G..
It was reported by Dr. Jones, your Boarding Medical Officer, on the morning of 9th August,
that the re-vaccination of the little boy P..G.. which had been carried out by the Ship's Surgeon
on board the s.s. "Strathmore" on the 4th August had "taken" strongly, a fact overwhelmingly
against the diagnosis of recent smallpox.
Arrangements were made forthwith for the discharge of P..G.. and his mother from Denton
Hospital and for the restoration of the normal routine there.
s.s. " STRATHAIRD "—SUSPECTED SMALLPOX.
The Confidential "Weekly Record of Quarantinable Diseases" for the week ending 3rd
September, issued by the Ministry of Health, contained a note to the effect that the
s.s. "Strathaird from London, via Port Said, Aden, Bombay and Colombo, arrived at Fremantle
on the 7th August with a case of smallpox. The patient, a member of the crew, was removed
on the same day to the Quarantine Station at Perth. Date of onset of disease: 5th August.
Probable source of infection: Bombay.
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