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January, 1961.
To
THE WORSHIPFUL
THE PORT AND CITY OF LONDON HEALTH COMMITTEE
Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit as Medical Officer of Health for the Port of London ray Annual
Report for the year ending 31st December, 1960.
The Report has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health
and for the quinquennial year 1960 full information has been given in Sections I to XVI.
The following is a summary of the principal items mentioned in the Report:
Royal Commission on Local Government in Greater London
The Ministry of Health made no proposal to the Royal Commission for any change in the
present responsibility of the Corporation of London as the Port Health Authority. The Royal
Commission were satisfied that this function is at present being carried out effectively and
economically by the Corporation of London and saw no reason to recommend any change.
Shipping
The number of vessels arriving in the Port of London during 1960 was 27,563, 16,540 from
foreign ports and 11,023 coastwise. The total tonnage of these arrivals was 44,187,470 net tons
as compared with 43,424,111 tons for 1959. The Boarding Medical Officers visited 1,689 vessels
from foreign ports and three coastwise ships. The Port Health Inspectors made 12,853 inspections
of vessels, 11,165 of which were foreign-going, 1,123 coastwise and 565 inland navigation.
Communicable Disease
1,116 cases of notifiable and other infectious diseases were reported as having occurred on
174 vessels, 179 of these cases were dealt with in the Port. 110 cases were admitted to various
hospitals, including 51 to the Port Isolation Hospital at Denton, nr. Gravesend.
No case of smallpox reached the Port but full precautionary measures were taken on three
vessels following information of suspected cases of smallpox having been landed abroad.
The Port Health Authority continues to act as a general health service for the River, particularly
at Gravesend, and undertakes duties not strictly limited to quarantine but which the
Service with its own medical staff, ambulance launches and port health inspectors, is under a
moral obligation to fulfil. Prompt assistance to medical emergencies has been greatly facilitated
by the use of radio-telephony on the Port Health Authority craft and by the most excellent cooperation
of the P.L.A. Thames Navigation Service.
Rodent Control
During the year 4,434 rats, 2,602 in ships and 1,832 in shore premises, were destroyed in
the Port of London. In addition, 2,735 mice were destroyed, 610 in ships and 2,125 in shore
premises. 120 rats were examined for plague with negative results. 7,207 inspections of lighters
were made for evidence of rodents.
International Derattlng and Derattlng Exemption Certificates
The number of Deratting Certificates issued was 94, the method of deratting in 86 instances
being '1080'. 1,002 Deratting Exemption Certificates were granted.
Shellfish
No cases were reported of food poisoning or other illness resulting from the consumption of
shellfish taken from layings within the district of the Port Health Authority.
Medical Inspection of Aliens
13,045 aliens arriving by ship were medically inspected by the Port Health Authority's
Medical Officers on behalf of the Immigration Department of the Home Office.
Imported Food
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 either by burying or burning was 3,511 tons. 11 cwts. 2 qrs. 21 lbs. as compared
with 3,010 tons. 18 cwts. 1 qr. 10 lbs. in 1959.
The work of meat inspection has progressed smoothly throughout the year, the Meat Inspectors
having received full co-operation from the Riparian Authorities, Shipping Companies, Meat
Importers and the Port of London Authority. Apart from a great deal of routine work, the Inspectors
were also concerned with the detention and examination of Swedish pigs; the control of
Bechuanaland meat; re-exportation of Australian scrap meat; damage to meat resulting from the
dock strike; and the implementation of the Food Hygiene (Dock Carriers etc.) Regulations, 1960.
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