London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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SECTION II
AMOUNT OF SHIPPING ENTERING THE DISTRICT DURING THE YEAR
TABLE B
| Ships from | Number | Net Tonnage | Number Inspected | Number of ships reported as having, or having had during the voyage, infectious disease on board. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| by the Port Medical Officer | By the Port Health Inspector | ||||
| Foreign Ports | 34,958 | 70,448,192 | 1,154 | 13,384 | 102 |
| Coastwise | 16,378 | 18,582,797 | 4 | 1,852 | 4 |
| Total | 51,336 | 89,030,989 | 1,158 | 15,236 | 106 |
SECTION III
CHARACTER OF SHIPPING AND TRADE DURING THE YEAR
TABLE C
| Passenger Traffic | Number of Passengers — Inwards 83,430 | |
| Number of Passengers — Outwards 82.890 | ||
| Cargo Traffic | Principal Imports | All types of produce and merchandise |
| Principal Exports | ||
| Principal Ports from which ships arrive. The Port of London trades with all parts of the world. | ||
SECTION IV
INLAND BARGE TRAFFIC
These barges are registered annually by the Port of London Authority. They vary in design
and type from open and hatched all purpose general cargo barges, to specialised types for bulk
sugar and refrigerated cargoes. An increasing number of the latter have refrigeration plant incorporated
in the design.
The amalgamation of barge fleets has further reduced the total number in the Port to approximately
5,000 barges with an aggregate tonnage of some 360,000 tons.
The craft are employed in the transport of a wide variety of cargoes throughout the Port area
and its environment by way of creeks and canals.
SECTION V
Water Supply
(1) Source of Supply No change
(2) Reports of tests for contamination No change
(3) Precautions taken against contamination of hydrants and hosepipes No change
(4) Number and sanitary conditions of water boats and powers of
control by the Authority No change
There were eight reports of contamination from hydrants during the year, two reports of
contamination from stand pipes and fifteen reports of contamination from the ends of delivery
hoses supplying ships. The contamination from watering points was discovered during the normal
course of routine sampling and indicates the necessity to continue routine bacteriological sampling
of the water supplies in the District. No single attributable cause for the contamination was
discovered after investigation and it must be assumed that the contamination had been introduced
through unhygienic handling of the watering equipment. Only one ship received "unfit" water.
The owners were notified immediately the result of the analysis was received and were advised
to contact the ship to require the Master to chlorinate all water storage tanks on board. Those
ships which had received 'unsatisfactory' or 'suspicious' water supplies were also contacted by
the owners on the advice of this Authority and advised to chlorinate the water storage tanks on
board.
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