London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
This page requires JavaScript
TABLE D (Cntd.);
Category —
Cases which have occurred on ships from foreign ports but have been disposed of before arrival
| Disease | No. of cases during the year | No. of ships concerned | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passengers | Crew | ||
| Chickenpox | 22 | 5 | 16 |
| Dysentery | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Gastro-Enteritis | 2 | 16 | 3 |
| German Measles | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Infective Hepatitis | — | 1 | 1 |
| Influenza | — | 12 | 1 |
| Leprosy | - | 1 | 2 |
| Malaria | 1 | — | 1 |
| Measles | 41 | 1 | 10 |
| Miscellaneous | 1 | 42 | 4 |
| Mumps | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| Pneumonia | 1 | - | 1 |
| Pulmonary Tuberculosis | - | 3 | 3 |
| Smallpox | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Typhoid | - | 9 | 3 |
| Totals | 88 | 95 | 59 |
| Cases landed from other ships | |||
| Chickenpox | - | 1 | 1 |
| German Measles | — | 1 | 1 |
| Miscellaneous | — | 2 | 2 |
| Pneumonia | — | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | - | 5 | 5 |
SMALLPOX - S.S. "ORONSAY"
The Deputy Port Medical Officer in his capacity as Medical Inspector of Commonwealth
Immigrants boarded s.s. "Oronsay" at Plymouth on the 14th August. During the course of the voyage
round to the London River, he visited an Indian child who was ill in his cabin. On examining
this child, who was apparently suffering from chickenpox, he decided that there were certain
symptoms which did not exclude the possibility of smallpox.
The Senior Boarding Medical Officer made the following detailed report:—
"History
Concerns an Indian family resident in Ireland, the mother and children going to India on
holiday a year ago.
"30th July, 1962. Embarked in "Oronsay" at Bombay to return to Ireland via
London.
"P.M. Thursday 9th August. Youngest child aged 3 years vomited.
"A.M. Friday 10th August. Seen by Ship's Surgeon. T.100. throat, ears, abdomen, chest,
All N.A.D.
"A.M. Saturday 11th August. Apyrexial N.A.D.
"P.M. Saturday 11th August. T.103 a few spots (6) present left upper chest. Isolated spots
rest of chest and back and right groin. Diagnosed Chickenpox.
"Sunday 12th August. Apyrexial. Many more lesions on chest and now also lesions
abdomen and face, few only on limbs.
"Monday 13th August. Rash now profuse and present all over body including scalp and
palms of hands. Still apyrexial.
"Tuesday 14th August. Still further lesions now including soles of feet. T.100 in
evening. Vesicles now present in mouth.
"Vaccinal State
Primary vaccination in Ireland one year ago. Mother describes development of typical primary
reaction but scar is small.
Vaccinations of two other children, boy 4 primary, and girl 11 revaccination, are of same
size, on same site and this must be accepted as a successful vaccination.
"Clinically
The case is very atypical and full of contradictions. Vaccination scar has been mentioned.
15