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January 1959
To The Worshipful
The Port and City of London Health Committee
Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year ending 31st December, 1958, as
Medical Officer of Health for the Port of London.
A letter from the Secretary, Ministry of Health, dated 31st December, 1958, contained a
reminder that the Medical Officer of Health should prepare his Annual Report on the lines indicated
in Form 20 enclosed with Circular 33/52 of the 6th November, 1952, adapted as maybe
necessary to the special needs of the administration of the London Port Health District.
Paragraph 5 of Form Port 20 reads as follows — "The information required by Sections I, V,
VI, VIII, XIV and XVI, which has been given in an earlier report and has not since changed,
need not be repeated each year. A recapitulation of all information should be made in the Report
for the years 1952 and 1955 and thereafter quinquennially. For the intermediate years, only the
changes which have occurred during the year covered by the Report need be mentioned in those
Sections; if there is no change, "NO CHANGE" should be entered."
This Report has been prepared in accordance with the above directive.
The following is a summary of the principal items mentioned in this Report:—
Shipping. The tonnage of vessels (Foreign and Coastwise) entering the Port of London
during 1958 was 39,223,322 tons as compared with 36,810,935 tons during 1957. 15,403 vessels
arrived from Foreign ports and of these 1,706 were visited by the Boarding Medical Officers at
Gravesend.
Radio-telephony equipment has now been fitted in the Hulk "Hygeia" and the two launches
in the Lower River as a preliminary to participation in the proposed "Thames Navigation Service".
Communicable Diseases. 809 cases of notifiable and other infectious disease were reported
as having occurred on 186 vessels during the year, of which 194 cases were dealt with in the
Port. 82 cases were admitted to the Port Isolation Hospital.
The Boarding Medical Officers and Port Health Staff on numerous occasions afforded medical
assistance to shipping for 'humanitarian' as opposed to strictly 'quarantine' purposes.
A folder giving information as to Social Services available to the seafarer and his family
was issued by the Authority.
Rodent Control. During the year a total of 4,597 rats, 2,381 in ships and 2,216 inshore
premises, were destroyed in the Port of London. In addition, 3,596 mice were destroyed, 1,039
in ships and 2,557 on shore premises. 71 rats were examined for plague with negative results.
International Deratting and Deratting Exemption Certificates. The number of Deratting
Certificates issued was 132, the method of deratting in 111 instances being "1080". The convenience
and efficacy of this method are outstanding. 1,074 Deratting Examption Certificates
were granted.
Imported Foods. The total amount of foodstuffs seized and condemned as unfit for human
consumption and either reconditioned or disposed of for animal feeding or for industrial purposes
under guarantee or destroyed outright either by burying or burning was 4,133 tons 18 cwts. 3 qrs.
3 lbs. as compared with 3,409 tons. 6 cwts. 3 qrs. 14 lbs. in 1957.
Transport of Refuse by Lighters. The Byelaws made in 1948 were amended during the year.
The modifications made should lead to fewer complaints but legal proceedings will have to be
considered for any contraventions.
Clean Air Act 1956. Much time and thought have been given to making the requirements
of the Act and the subsequent Regulations known to both British and Foreign shipping and particular
attention was given to offering helpful advice to Masters and Engineers of ships. There
is every indication that the policy adopted by the Port Health Authority is achieving satisfactory
results and the shipping industry has been co-operative. The reduction in the amount of black
smoke emitted has been encouraging and it was found necessary on only one occasion to take
legal proceedings.
Radiation Hazards. The policy to be adopted is being considered in collaboration with the
Port of London Authority. Meanwhile Port Health Inspectors are to attend specialised courses
of instruction.
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