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(c) Normal maintenance work on the fresh water circulating pump carried out by engine room
staff could lead to contamination but enquiry on board produced no evidence to support this.
Subsequently the owners received a letter from the ship at Dakar to the effect that there had
been no further cases of sickness and that fresh water taken on there had been chlorinated to the
required standard.
DENTON HOSPITAL
Although Denton Hospital has been taken over by the South East Metropolitan Regional Hospital
Board under the National Health Services Act, the Port Health Authority continues to exercise,
through the Senior and Assistant Port Medical Officers, the medical supervision of cases
admitted to the hospital. The nursing and administrative control lies with the Dartford Hospital
Management Committee.
Consultant advice on difficult cases is available through the Physician—Superintendent of
Joyce Green Hospital, Dartford, who whenever necessary transfers cases there for special investigation
and treatment.

SECTION X
OBSERVATIONS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF MALARIA ON SHIPS
Nine cases of Malaria (all seamen) were reported on ships during the year under review. This
compares with six cases in 1963.
Six of the seamen were well on arrival, and the other three were admitted to hospital on arrival
in London.
A notice giving advice on the Chief Precautions and Treatment of Malaria is issued by the
Ministry of Transport and should be on board every British ship.
SECTION XI
MEASURES TAKEN AGAINST SHIPS INFECTED OR SUSPECTED OF PLAGUE
No ships infected with or suspected of plague arrived during the year.
SECTION XII
MEASURES AGAINST RODENTS IN SHIPS FROM FOREIGN PORTS
The statutory authority for this important function is contained in Regulations 19— 21 of The
Public Health (Ships) Regulations, 1952-1963 (implementing the provisions of Article 52 of the
International Sanitary Regulations, 1951), The Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949 and the
Prevention of Damage by Pests (Application to Shipping) Order, 1951—56. To undertake this
responsibility, the Port Health Authority employs a competent and experienced staff of sixteen
Rodent Inspectors, who exercise control measures on ships and over the shore premises within
the Docks. The three aspects of control are, to prevent the importation of rodents by sea or land
transport, to prevent infestations within the Docks, and to curtail any movement of rodents within
the Port, so it is imperative that all the staff work as a team throughout. In all circumstances,
the operations are carried through under the general supervision of the Port Health Inspectors.
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