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pest infestation. In general terms, his responsibility covers the well-being in health of the crew
with the exception of the food stores, very odd though it may be. Outside the accommodation,
other health factors must be considered including drinking water storage, refuse disposal,
smoke abatement and rodent control to meet the international and national obligations, which
includes the systematic deratting of ships and the examination of specimens for evidence of
P.pestis. Such precautions, whether afloat or ashore, are complementary in the defence of national
health.
"It is imperative that the smaller craft of the port should receive consistent attention for
nuisances. Action must be directed especially towards exterminating rodent infestations aboard
barges, since any colony may comprise specimens from various ships and these are ferried from
place to place so constituting a vulnerable reservoir for spread of plague. Other small craft
include Canal Boats and Houseboats, both of which need regular sanitary inspection and powers
to do so are provided in the Public Health Act 1936 and in local byelaws.
(3) Shore sanitary inspection
"In the broadest sense the Inspectors duties resemble those of any urban district colleague as
far as the allotted sections of the Public Health Act 1936 permit and pests are to be controlled.
Quite naturally there are some features of the task that are peculiar to docks and wharves, but
the principles of sanitation are universal. Here again the international commitment must be acknowledged;
the Port Health Authority must subdue any reservoir of disease vectors in the
district, thereby taking account of rodents and mosquitoes.
"Not least among the health precautions taken is the investigation of the drinking water
supplies. Since foreign-going ships replenish the water storage tanks from supplies at various
foreign ports and because this drinking water is available to all who board the ships, it is a
desirable practice to take routine samples with reasonable discretion and submit them for examination.
In extension of this protection afforded to those whose business takes them aboard
the ships in port, routine samples are taken to check port fresh water supplies to the ships, some
from licensed water-boats and others from the quay hydrants, to ensure the health of the seamen
and thus the operational efficiency of the outward bound ships.
"Refuse collection points need and get considerable attention as also does the disposal
equipment. A fair proportion of the refuse from the ships consists of putrescible matter from the
catering department and this provides attractive feeding for rats; open dumps are therefore to be
deplored and nothing less than suitable mobile containers, distributed over the port and at a
convenient distance from the ships, should be accepted if pests and nuisance are to be
discouraged.
(4) Food inspection
"This branch of the port health organisation is, in some respects, more spectacular, probably
because decisions immediately reflect on a complex system of food marketing and national
distribution, to mention nothing of financial interests. A very large amount and an increasing
variety of foods for human consumption pass through the ports and, although inspection practice
recognises and adopts the generally accepted standards, some knowledge of stowage and transportation
complications is a distinct advantage when arriving at a conclusion in the restricted
time at the Inspector's disposal, particularly when dealing with perishable commodities such
as fish, fruit and meat.
"Formal action can only be taken after the foods have been given a clearance by H.M. Customs
and the examinations are preferably carried out'simultaneously as a measure of expediency.
It is customary to make a token detailed examination, then support it by an overall superficial
inspection of the consignment. Furthermore, sampling has become the more important on account
of the various suggestions to introduce antibiotics and anti-oxidants as preservatives.
Without any suggestion of prejudice towards the exporting country and trade practices, the
inspector must be unrelenting in vigilance and resist any tendency to complacency. Even documents
or certificates should not always be accepted as bona fide evidence. There is provision
in the Regulations for detention and seizure which is taken into good account, but the short time
limit of 48 hours detention could be embarrassing failing the goodwill of the importer.
(5) Shellfish
'Imported molluscan shellfish are submitted to the same careful inspection as any other article
of food, but those developed in home waters are controlled on different lines with the same
objective. The Port Health Authority has jurisdiction over the layings within the district and
requires that molluscan shellfish gathered by traders for human consumption from 'prescribed
areas shall be subjected to a process of cleaning or sterilisation by steam cooking according to
type. Bacteriological examination of the final products is essential and reference is made to the
standards laid down by the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers and the Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food. The type of sterilising plant must be approved by the Port Health Authority
and frequent inspections are made to ensure that the correct procedure is being maintained.
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