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In the present instance it took the entire team from 3 p.m. to midnight to examine everybody
and check the destination lists etc. Our three administrative assistants had to be
augmented by two Assistant Pursers to keep the queue moving rhythmically and to keep up
with the two Immigration Officers. Luckily an Assistant Purser had had previous experience
of our activities, and had organised the passengers in advance into six parties of 150 each
to avoid delay and annoyance to them. This was most commendable and also enabled meals
to be served with the minimum of delay — a consideration when two sittings for each meal
were involved plus our examination of the stewards and cooks.
I cannot speak too highly of the co-operation and cheerful services rendered by our team
who worked well into the night and appeared next morning so cheerfully to pick up the "Wefts
and Irish Pennants" left over from the previous night's activities.
To Dr. Boul I also tender most grateful thanks. With great goodwill he weighed in and
assisted in the examination of all on board, work far beyond his consultative duty which
more than halved the time it would otherwise have needed."
As soon as the "STRATHNAVER" had arrived at Gravesend, the administrative team were
landed and proceeded immediately to the Central Office. The names and addresses of passengers
were then forwarded to the local Medical Officers of Health the same evening. Names and addresses
of members of the crew who were due to leave the ship were also similarly notified. Changes of
address continued to be forwarded to Medical Officers until the 7th April when the incubation
period expired and the danger of secondary cases was considered at an end.
SECTION X - OBSERVATIONS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF
MALARIA ON SHIPS
Ten cases of Malaria (9 seamen and one passenger) were reported on ships during the year
under review. This compares with twelve cases in 1960.
The one passenger and five seamen were well on arrival. Two seamen were admitted to
Denton Hospital and the Seamens Hospital at Greenwich respectively. One was landed to
hospital in Freetown and one died at sea.
A notice giving advice on the Chief Precautions and Treatment of Malaria is issued by the
Ministry of Shipping and should be on board every British ship. A text of this notice was reproduced
in the Medical Officer's Annual Report for 1958.
MOSQUITO CONTROL AT ISLE OF GRAIN
During the period 13th March to the 14th of October, mosquito control was carried out within
the perimeter of the B.P. Refinery, comprising of 700 acres plus an additional area of 210
acres of the Ex. R.N.A.D. land adjacent which B.P. have acquired. The actual field work was
carried out by the same "Mosquito Control Operator" attached to the Refinery Medical Department
who was employed the previous year on this work. This is of great benefit as no delay is experienced
in training new personnel and becoming familiar with the area before commencing
treatment. Weekly meetings have been attended with the Refinery Medical Officer and the operator
so that a high standard of control has been maintained.
This was achieved by larvicidal treatment with dieldrin and, because of the dry period at the
beginning of the season which eliminated many of the temporary pools, the operator maintained the
three week cycles of the whole area, even with the extra acreage, without difficulty.
This year no anopheles were discovered, the most common species being Aedes detritus,
Aedes caspius, Theobaldia annulata and Culex pipiens.
A start has been made by the Army to level the gravel pits adjacent to Grain Village, which
had been advocated by the Malaria Reference Laboratory for some years. These pits have been
a prolific breeding ground and, though work has not been completed, a noticeable improvement
has occurred.
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