London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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HEALTH REGULATIONS (Customs Code Vol. 4, Part 4)
PORT OF LONDON Procedure to be followed for
SHIPS PROCEEDING UP RIVER TO GRAVESEND AREA OR ABOVE
The list of infected areas (Customs Code, Vol. 4, Pt. 4, para. 3) referred to as the "listed areas" below, is given on page 4 of the London Declaration of Health Form.
| Classification of ship C.C., Vol. 4. Pt 4, paras. 5 & 6. | Answers given to questions on the Declaration of Health Form | If vessel has come from a "listed area" within six weeks of her arrival in London. | Customs Procedure |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) All "foreign going" ships other than Tankers. | All in the negative | No. | Issue Certificate of Pratique |
| (2) All "foreign-going" ships other than Tankers. | If any are in the affirmative, or | Yes | (a) Inform the Master that he (i) must not allow any unauthorised person to leave the ship without the Medical Officer's permission. (ii) should not proceed beyond Gravesend Reach without the Medical Officer's consent. (iii) by day immediately hoist LIM flag signals or by night flash "Q" signal to Hygeia. |
| (3) "Foreign going" ships. Tankers. | Al1 in the negative. | Can be disregarded. | Issue Certificate of Pratique. |
| (4) Do. | If any are in the affirmative. | Can be disregarded. | As in the case of ships at (2) above. |
| (5) Home Trade | If a written Declaration of Health is taken and any answered in the affirmative. | As in the case of ships at (2) above. |
(i) From the heading of Col. 3 it will be seen that the fact that a ship has come from a
"listed area" before six weeks of her arrival here can also be disregarded.
(iii) If the Medical Officer of Health detains the vessel he will not issue the Pratique Certificate
but return it at once to the Preventative Officer who will then issue to the Master a Modified
Certificate of Pratique.
(Signed) C. R. PURSER,
CUSTOM HOUSE, LONDON, E.C.3. Waterguard Superintendent.
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