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The case was suspicious enough in the mind of the Ship's Surgeon to warrant vaccinating
all on board, passengers and crew.
'Operation Brixham' was impractical in view of the shortage of time as the vessel was
due at Brixham at 0900 hours Sunday, 12th, and her E.T.A. at Gravesend would be 0600
hours Monday, 13th.
I informed the M.O.H. by telephone and outlined the procedure I proposed to adopt.
Dr. Marsden, Medical Superintendent at the River Hospital, Dartford, was also informed
and the hospital alerted for the possible admission of the case, should it prove to be a
'true bill'.
During Sunday, 12th contact was made by the P. 81 O/Orient Line with the ship and the
ship was asked to anchor on the Quarantine Ground in Higham Bight on arrival and have an
accommodation ladder rigged.
M.O.H. Brixham informed me by telephone that the ship had arrived and left Brixham
for the Thames at 0930 and that pathological specimens from the patient had been collected
and were on their way to London for the Virus Research Unit at Colindale by special messenger.
He also stated that he had vaccinated the Channel Pilot and seven Shipping Agents
who embarked in 'Carthage' at Brixham.
"Voyage Itinerary —
Hongkong 13.1.61
Singapore 19.1.61
Penang 20.1.61
Colombo 24.1.61
Bombay 27.1.61
Aden 31.1.61
Port Said 4.2.61
"History of Patient
Had been on leave in Goa for 3 months.
Joined ship 27.1.61 in Bombay.
Re-vaccinated 24.1.61 (3 days before joining) by P. & O. Medical Officer (Dock Staff)
which had not 'taken'.
On 9.2.61 he found he had some spots on his face which on 10.2.61 had spread to his head,
scalp and upper trunk.
He did not report sick until a.m. on 11.2.61 by which time the rash covered head, scalp,
neck and upper trunk and back with scanty rash on arms and legs.
He was apyrexial and has remained so ever since.
He was isolated at once in the ship's isolation hospital.
"Procedure on Arrival
I boarded the ship at 0600 hours, 13th February and interviewed the Ship's Surgeon and
saw the patient.
" In my opinion he was suffering from Mild Chickenpox.
At 0730 hours I was joined by Dr. J. Pickford Marsden and Dr. Edgar of the P. & O/Orient
Line plus Mr. Mackie, Mr. Madeley and the Clerical Team from Head Office under Mr. Ratliff.
Dr. Marsden confirmed the diagnosis as Varicella and the patient was removed with his
bedding and effects to Denton Hospital at 0830 hours.
In view of the diagnosis it was not considered necessary to observe the Smallpox
procedure of checking the address lists.
In fact had we not had a prior alert and had the case been reported on arrival any of
your Boarding M.O's. would have carried out routine removal and arranged the usual fumigation
arrangements.
The Ship's Surgeon had, in this case, played for safety, and was, I feel, somewhat
influenced by the opinions of two doctor passengers who saw the patient and remained
non-committal on a definite diagnosis.
Pratique was granted at 0830 and the vessel proceeded to King George V. Dock with
Mr. Mackie and his team carrying out routine fumigation of the Ship's Hospital and the
patient's cabin on the way up river.
"P.S. Since writing the above report a message has been received at 1015 hours from Colindale
saying that the Complement Fixation Test, on specimens sent from Brixham, is NEGATIVE".
(Sgd.) HUGH WILLOUGHBY.
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