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(a) Legal Aspect
"Quite apart from local byelaws, the main functions are governed by legislation for preventing
the importation and spread of infectious diseases, controlling nuisances and other conditions
prejudicial to health, examining imported foods destined for human consumption, preventing
damage by rodents and control of shellfish layings. Medical inspection of arriving aliens is
added to these by arrangement with the Home Office.
"The legal provisions are contained accordingly in:—
The Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1952-1954.
The Public Health (Aircraft) Regulations 1952-1954.
The Public Health Act 1936.
The Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations 1927.
The Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations 1937-1948.
The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949.
The Prevention of Damage by Pest (Application to Shipping) Order 1951.
The Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations 1934.
(b) Practical Application
"Since there are 91 Port Health Authorities in the United Kingdom and functioning with the
status of Local Government, it is to be expected that there should be some variation in the
application of Regulations at the seaports and airports according to the adaptability and the
overall significance of the port. This does not imply any statutory modifications or complacency,
but simply the wisest application of the provisions as are required, depending on the nature and
magnitude of the trade of the port. Variation can also be influenced by the constitution of a
Port Health Authority insofar as an authority may represent a number of Riparian Authorities that
share in the responsibility of imported food inspection or it may be a port health district of a
Local Authority, or as in the case of London, it may have jurisdiction within districts detached
from the City of London.
"Nevertheless, every effort is made to fulfil the legal requirements according to circumstances,
although it must be conceded that there is some lack of uniformity in doing so. The basic principles,
however, are clearly understood by all.
"In addition, there are those commitments which necessitate the closest collaboration with
the Home Office, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, H.M. Customs, Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Trinity House Brethren.
(1) Ship Medical Inspection
"As a ready guide to Port Medical Officers, W.H.O. issue a confidential Weekly Record of
Quarantine Diseases regarding the prevalence and the distribution of the quarantinable diseases
— plague, smallpox, cholera, yellow fever, typhus fever and relapsing fever — throughout the
world, thus alerting Port Health Authorities to meet any arrivals from the 'infected' or 'suspected'
areas.
"Accordingly, certain formalities have been introduced for foreign arrivals in normal circumstances
and particular care is taken of the arrivals from the recorded areas or when it is understood
that there is a case of illness even resembling the symptoms of a major communicable
disease from any area. No time is wasted nor effort spared in taking effective measures to
ensure the interception of quarantinable disease with a minimum of delay to shipping. To this
end, a ship may be boarded at sea and operations begun well in advance of arrival at the seaport.
This procedure, in the case of smallpox, for instance, would require medical inspection and all
protective measures to be adopted, certain clerical routine and the arrangement of facilities at
the port for the prompt reception and transfer of the patient, contacts and bedding. Such procedure
must be completed in readiness to enter the port and in time to advise the Medical Officers of
Health of the various districts, to which the remaining passengers and crew are destined, of the
circumstances and the need of personal surveillance during the particular incubation period.
Especially in this respect, co-operation between Local Authorities and Port Health Authorities
is absolutely indispensable.
"All ships that have called at an 'infected' or 'suspected' port during the previous four weeks,
should be boarded by the Port Medical Officer or the Inspector.
(2) Ship Sanitary Inspection
"After qualifying for 'pratique', the ship normally proceeds to the terminal berth and henceforth
receives the attention of the Port Health Inspector. His visit should be timed to make his
enquiries and observations as early as possible after the ship has been secured. By so doing
he is able to assess day to day conditions undisturbed, some of which are key points of the
inspection; besides, time and decision are important factors with which he must reckon. Asa
'house' the ship is inspected to cover all domestic problems involving environmental health.
Unlike his counterpart ashore, he is not empowered to demand structural alterations, although
he does advise and the ultimate decision may rest with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation
which holds this prerogative. Otherwise, defects and deficiencies in the standards prescribed
for living accommodation can be dealt with at once as well as nuisances arising from neglect or
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