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(2) s.s. "HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN"
On arrival of the s.s. "Highland Chieftain" at Gravesend on the 13th November, it was ascertained
that a passenger, Ricardo Valle, aged 25, had been bitten by a dog in the left leg on the
19th October, while in Chile. On examination it was found that the wound had healed but the
passenger had had no anti-rabies treatment. He was not, however, detained since it was understood
that the was proceeding by air to Germany via Holland.
Enquiries were made from the Shipping Company as to the passenger's destination but no
information was forthcoming because the man ceased to be the responsibility of the Company
after landing.
It was ascertained, however, that the passenger had been met by a Courier of Messrs. Thomas
Cook & Sons, Ltd., the Travel Agents and on enquiry it was found that they were responsible for
a party of Chilian sailors (among whom was Ricardo Valle) who were en route for Germany. The
party had left London on the 15th November by Dutch Air Line — K.L. Flight 118, for Bremen
via Amsterdam, it being understood that the sailors would be joining a ship in Bremen which
would eventually sail from that port to Chile.
The Medical Officer of Health of Bremen was informed of the circumstances by letter.
SECTION X — Observations on the occurrence of Malaria in ships
Twenty-five cases of malaria were reported on sixteen vessels during the year under review.
Twenty-four of the cases occurred amongst members of the crew and one a passenger. Twentyone
of the cases were disposed of prior to the arrival of the vessels in this Port.
SECTION XI — Measures taken against ships infected with or suspected of plague
Plague being primarily a disease of rats all vessel are inspected immediately on arrival at
their berths in the docks and river for the presence of any mortality among the rats on board
which is not attributable to any known cause, such as trapping, poisoning, etc.
Any dead rats are immediately sent to the Central Public Health Laboratory at Colindale for
examination for bacillus pestis,each rat being accompained by a label on which is given precise
information as to where the rat was found in order to arrive at a focus of infection should the
examination prove positive.
In the event of a positive result the discharge of the cargo would be promptly stopped and, if
necessary, arrangements made for the vessel to be fumigated throughout with hydrogen cyanide,
with the cargo in situ, the vessel being moved to an approved mooring.
Following the initial fumigation and collection of dead rats, further samples of which would be
submitted for examination, the discharge of cargo would be permitted under observation. The
destination of the cargo would be forwarded to the Medical Officer of Health of the districtto
which the cargo was proceeding.
Should any of the cargo be discharged overside into lighters, they would be fumigated immediately
they were empty.
On completion of the discharge of cargo from the vessel a second fumigation would be carried
out, again using hydrogen cyanide, to destroy the residual rat population, if any.
SECTION XII — Measures against rodents in ships from foreign ports
(1) Procedure for inspection of ships for rats.
The Port Health Authority employs fourteen Rodent Operatives working in conjunction with
and under the supervision of the Sanitary Inspectors.
The Rodent Operatives first duty is the examination of those ships in his area which are due
for inspection under Article 19 of the Public Health (Ships) Regulations. 1952, relating to the
granting of Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates.
His second duty is to visit all ships arriving in his district, to search for evidence of rats,
paying particular attention to vessels which have arrived from plague infected ports and to visit
such vessels during the discharge of cargo.
The Rodent Operative's third duty is the examination of shore premises for signs of rat
infestation paying particular attention to premises adjoining the berths of vessels from plague
infected ports.
In 1941 the Port Health Authority instituted a Rodent Control Scheme in all docks and premises
of the Port of London Authority, on behalf of that Authority and in the premises of the tenants of
the Authority on behalf of the occupiers.
New and scientific methods of poisoning have now taken the place of trapping, this now only
being occasionally used to clear up residual rats, if any, which have escaped a major poison
operation or for occasional laboratory check for the presence of plague infection.
The Port of London Authority have made byelaws requiring the Master of every vessel to cause
all ropes and mooring tackle to be fitted with guards to prevent rats passing from ship to shore.
The byelaws also prescribe that when the discharge or loading of cargo is not actually proceeding,
one gangway, whitened for a length of 10 feet at the end next to the vessel, may be used as communication
between the ship and the shore.
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