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2. Communicable Diseases
Three ships only were visited on behalf of the Port Health Authority. Two cases of
recovering measles were seen on two ships. The third ship had landed a case of pyrexia of
unknown origin in Portugal, the diagnosis has never been ascertained in spite of numerous
enquiries through the agents of Royal Dutch Shell; no other cases of illness were reported
on board in the forty-eight hours the ship was at Thames Haven.
3. Malaria
One case of Malaria contracted in the Freetown area was diagnosed with the help of
Dr. G.D. Taylor at Shell Haven, whose laboratory is at ray disposal. This case was
admitted to Orsett Hospital.
4. Rats
A Pest Control operator from a private organisation visits Thames Haven regularly. The
rat population is not high and lives mainly near Contractors huts which are some distance
from the Jetties. As it is unusual for any ships apart from tankers to be alongside, it is
thought the rats must all be shore based. Approximate number of rats destroyed in the past
year is 200.
5. Mosquitoes
Very little trouble was experienced last summer owing to cold weather, only two breeding
places being found in the installation. Nearly all fleets are now being filled in and
nearly all other water is heavily contaminated with oil. The common variety appeared to be
A. Maculipennis which were found in the contractors huts after working hours and presumably
came out and fed on the workmen during the day. It is hoped this summer to catch and send
specimens for expert identification.
6. Snakes
One contractors workman was bitten on the finger by an adder while having his lunch
near the sea wall!
7. Preventive Medicine
A number of smallpox and cholera vaccinations were carried out on board tankers, together
with a few T.A.B. and poliomyelitis innoculations, this work of course was carried
out for the Shipping Companies concerned.
"HELPING THE SEAMAN"
Folder on Social Services available to the Seafarer and his family
In 1958 the Port Health Authority produced for distribution to shipping visiting the Port of
London a folder on the numerous social services available to the seafarer and his family. The
matters covered included financial assistance; homelessness of wife and children; aged parents
in need of care and attention; moral problems; "home helps"; legal advice, etc.
Although this publication was very favourably commented upon by shipping organisations and
welfare societies, it is most difficult to assess, even in the slightest degree, how far the publication
has been of value to the person for whom it was intended — the seaman. Many persons are
often reluctant to mention their domestic anxieties to their colleagues and the same applies
particularly to the seaman. In the quiet of a ship's library the attractive Port Health folder can
be glanced at and there the seaman can find in a few words where he may go for advice, and,
even though the folder does little to solve his immediate problem or difficulties, it certainly
points the way to an organisation or person who can best give him the very help he needs.
HEALTH EDUCATION - FOOD HYGIENE BOOKLET
With the help of the Food Hygiene Division of the Ministry of Health and the advice of a
number of leading firms in the catering, air transport and shipping industries, a booklet of twelve
pages of text and eight pages of photographic illustrations of catering hygiene was produced in
1959 for distribution, free of charge, to shipping companies, and by the Port Health Inspectors to
catering personnel on ships in the docks and on the River.
The booklet has continued to receive the widespread praise which was given to it on publication
by shipping companies and organisations connected with the welfare of seamen.
During 1960 the Chief Medical Officer of the Shipping Federation had printed, at the Federation's
expense and with due acknowledgement, two thousand copies of the booklet which they
proposed to issue to all trainees of their four Cookery Schools and to all members of the actual
staff at these establishments; the booklet will also be given to the catering staff at their Boys'
Sea Training Schools at Gravesend and Sharpness, Gloucestershire. It is considered that
'preaching the gospel' of food hygiene to the actual teaching staff and the candidates during
training is the best way of getting this sort of propaganda across.
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