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He was vaccinated on the 14th March, 1961 in Bombay, but had no evidence of such
recent vaccination. Two good marks of previous vaccination were present. He was an old
servant of the P. & O. and there is therefore strong presumptive evidence that he had been
well vaccinated in the past.
Before landing he was seen by two doctor passengers (both Asian), one of whom
diagnosed Smallpox and the other Chickenpox.
In view of this divergence of opinion, the Ship's Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon revaccinated
the entire ship's company and all the passengers on the 23rd and 24th March —a
most commendable action in view of the fact that there were 1,480 people involved (Crew
504, Passengers 976). There were, remarkably, no conscientious objectors.
On arrival at Suez the case was seen by the Duty Port Medical Officer and by a Dr.
Hanna, who came over from Cairo to see the case, and the patient was removed to hospital
as suffering from "Modified Smallpox".
"Disinfection:
The patient's bedding from the Ship's Hospital was removed for fumigation at Suez, but
not the unused bedding from other cots in the hospital. Bedding in Peak 72 occupied by the
patient — sheets and pillow cases —was steeped in Lysol on board. The pillows and mattress
were not dealt with.
"Procedure on Boarding at Brixham
It was considered that the case was infective from the 22nd March. Those at risk were:—
"Priority 1 Nine others occupying Peak 72. These were stripped and closely scrutinised
by Dr. Boul who took each man's temperature and examined closely for evidence of previous
Smallpox or Chickenpox.
"Priority 2 Co-workers in Ship's Galley, totalling 20 Europeans (Cooks etc.), and 40 Asians,
mainly scullions and food handlers. These were similarly examined and all found to be in
good health.
"Priority 3 Passengers, Deck Crew and Engine Room Crew. All remote risks. These were
inspected at muster and home addresses checked and cross-checked. All were found to be
in good state of health except four crew members who had, in two cases, septic skin lesions,
and two who appeared anaemic. These four were remustered on arrival at Tilbury and
dismissed as non-infectious ailments.
"Bedding: Mr. Mackie assumed control of environmental conditions and organised the fumigation
of the ship's hospital and Peak 72, and the removal to Denton Isolation Hospital of all
bedding and soft furnishings for steam fumigation from both the ship's hospital and the peak
in question.
"Conclusions
"(1) From the clinical evidence —and in the absence of the patient —it would appear to
have been a case of Chickenpox. Evidence of this lies in
" (a) Absence of prodromata with so profuse an eruption (i.e. at least 400—500
lesions).
"(b) Distribution of rash.
"(c) Diverse shapes of lesions.
"(d) Low temperature (100°F) relative to extent of eruption.
"(e) Vaccinal state.
and, finally, Negative reports from Colindale Laboratory — both Complement Fixation Test
and Egg Culture —on specimens sent by air for laboratory tests.
" In view of the number of persons involved this was probably one of the most extensive
exercises that the Port of London Health Authority's "Mobile Fire Brigade" has hitherto
indulged in.
" Had the vessel been boarded at Tilbury instead of Brixham one could estimate a delay
of at least 8 — 9 hours before the ship could have docked. (Advanced information was sent
by radio to the "Hygeia" and the ship berthed without restriction according to schedule.)
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