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have usually gone to their homes for treatment and rest. The ship's medical staff have
been called on to deal with only six so far of whom two spent a day or two in the ship's
hospital.
"Today (15.10.57) the sea-going European staff are rejoining and though they are very
welcome to assist the depleted Asian staff, the risk of increased incidence of influenza
amongst them cannot be ignored. In this connection I have impressed on the Heads of all
departments the need for increased attention to cleanliness and fresh air in the accommodation.
"In an attempt to prevent the spread of infection I have warned all other ships in Tilbury
which have Asian crews, that the "Arcadia" has many cases of influenza on board and that
ship visiting should not be allowed."
In the meantime complete disinfection of all the accommodation that had been occupied by
patients had been carried out by your Health Inspector, Mr. Butlin, assisted by Mr. Stockton
and Mr. Cook, the two members of the Rodent Staff in Tilbury.
On the 21st October, 1957, Mr. Madeley, further reported
"The outbreak of influenza in s.s. "Arcadia" has subsided. The ship will sail from the
l anding Stage tomorrow according to schedule.
"There have been no cases amongst the Asian Seamen since Monday, 14.10.57. There
were two cases amongst the Goanese catering staff on Wednesday, 16.10.57, but none since.
The last cases amongst the Asian firemen were on Thursday, 17.10.57 (3 cases). No cases
have been landed to shore hospitals since 15.10.57.
"The feared outbreak amongst the returning European crew did not take place. There
were indeed five cases amongst the Europeans on 16.10.57. One of these was the Ship's
Dispenser who had done excellent work during the time the ship's hospital was in operation.
One was an Engineer Officer. The others were three young Assistant Stewards who had
returned from leave decidedly 'off colour' and who were at once sent by the Second Steward
for medical attention before they were allowed to mix with the remainder of the crew. The
Second Steward is to be commended for his prompt action in this matter."
I had occasion to discuss the incidence of influenza on the "Arcadia" with the Medical
Superintendent of the P. & O. Company and as a consequence forwarded to him Mr. Madeley's
report, in acknowledgment of which he replied as follows
"Thank you very much for letting me see the report of Mr. Madeley on the incidence of
influenza in "Arcadia". I think it a most excellent report and great tribute to him that
with this major outbreak on top of his many other duties he has found time to make such
an orderly record of the pressing day to day happenings.
"I have delayed in return in g the report to you because I wished to circulate it for the
information of the Management and they have asked me to express their very sincere thanks
to you, to Mr. Madeley and to your staff for the most excellent job of work done in the
ship.
"I am sure both you and Mr. Madeley know how heartily I endorse this statement."
I offer no apology in reporting at such length on the influenza situation as it has affected
the Port of London up to date, since I feel that by so doing I am only endorsing the public
statement by your Chairman that "the Port of London Health Authority and its staffs are ready,
as usual, to meet this threat with all the means in their power".
In conclusion I should like to express my sincere thanks for the whole-h earted assistance
I have received from Shipping Companies and their Medical Staffs, the doctors of the Shipping
Federation, the Dartford Hospital Management Committee and its staff, the East Ham and
West Ham Ambulance Services, the Port of London Authority and last, but by no means least,
the Nursing Staff at the Denton Isolation Hospital, your Assistant Medical Officers, Health
Inspectors, Rodent Officers and clerical staff in the Central Office.
I was particularly gratified by the flexibility of the arrangements I was eventually able
to make for hospital admission with the Group Secretary of the Dartford Hospital Management
Committee.
Appended is a graph relating to the incidence of influenza on the s.s. "Arcadia".
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