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 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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| Disease | Passengers | Crew | No. of ships concerned |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stomach disorder | 1 | 1 | |
| Nephritis and stomach ulcer | 1 | 1 | |
| Attempted suicide | 1 | 1 | |
| Toothache | 2 | 2 | |
| Hypertension and cerebral sclerosis | 1 | 1 | |
| Haematoma of testes | — | 1 | 1 |
| Cerebral accident | 1 | 1 | |
| Acute cerebral attack (died) | 1 | 1 | |
| Abscess in sacral area | — | 1 | 1 |
| Poisoning from fumes from wood preservative liquid | 1 | 1 | |
| Tension pneumothorax | 1 | 1 | |
| Bronchitis | — | 1 | 1 |
| Bi-lateral effusion of knees | 1 | 1 | |
| Dehydration due to excessive heat (died) | 1 | 1 | |
| Chest pains | — | 1 | 1 |
| Death from drowning | 1 | 1 | |
| Immersion and shock | — | 5 | 1 |
| Convulsions | 1 | 1 | |
| Renal colic | — | 1 | 1 |
| 10 | 48 | 54 | |
| Cases landed from Coastwise arrivals. | |||
| Fractured wrist | 1 | 1 | |
| Burns | — | 2 | 2 |
| Appendicitis | 2 | 2 | |
| Allergic rash | — | 1 | 1 |
| Injury to ankle | — | 1 | 1 |
| Fell overboard | — | 1 | 1 |
| Debility | 1 | 1 | |
| Coronary occlusion (died) | 1 | 1 | |
| P.U.O. | — | 1 | 1 |
| Pleurisy | 1 | 1 | |
| Foreign body in eye | — | 2 | 2 |
| ? Renal colic | — | 1 | 1 |
| Urogenitary system infection | 1 | 1 | |
| Coronary Thrombosis | — | 1 | 1 |
| NIL | 17 | 17 | |
| Cases landed from River Craft. | |||
| Death from drowning | 2 | 1 | |
| Bruising to sacral region | 1 | 1 | |
| Heart attack | 1 | 1 | |
| Acute dyspneoa | 1 | 1 | |
| NIL | 5 | 4 | |
INFECTIOUS DISEASES ON SHIPS
Food Poisoning (suspect)
A ship arrived at Sheerness on 29th August, and the Master reported that a number of
members of the crew had suffered from stomach upsets during the voyage with symptoms which
were indicative of food poisoning.
Investigations showed that similar "attacks" had occurred intermittently for some eighteen
months. It was possible that the storage of cooked meat could have been the cause.
The Port Health Inspector conducted a thorough investigation of the galley and food storage
arrangements and gave advice on methods of storing cooked foods for cold consumption.
The possibility of a carrier amongst the crew was considered and stool samples were taken
from all catering crew members. Samples of cold meat and drinking water were also taken. All
samples were submitted to the laboratory for bacteriological examination but no pathogenic
organisms were found nor suspicious results obtained.
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