[Report 1927] / Medical Officer of Health, Liverpool Port Health Authority.

  • Port Health Authority of Liverpool. n 2014184020.
Date:
1927
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1927] / Medical Officer of Health, Liverpool Port Health Authority. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    captain understood that the examination of the patient had revealed no positive evidence of plague; however, the vessel was under quarantine in the port, and also passed through Suez Canal in quarantine. The vessel put in to Malta on account of engine trouble, and remained there two weeks, and was subjected to quarantine, the crew being examined on several occasions, but the ship was not fumigated. The vessel was released from quarantine on September 9th. On arrival in Liverpool one case of sickness was reported (the carpenter) who complained of a swelling in the right groin. This proved to be a small reducible hernia. The vessel docked at Birkenhead, and was thoroughly searched for sick or dead rats without result. S.S. “ Marauke.” Suspected rodent plague. This vessel arrived in Liverpool from the East Indies on October 6th, 1927, and was boarded on arrival in the river by the Assistant Port Medical Officer. The only case of sickness amongst the Chinese crew was one of venereal disease. The cargo consisted of rice, rice meal, palm kernels, ground nuts and palm oil. On October 8th, the City Bacteriologist reported that a rat caught on the vessel showed signs suspicious of plague infection. Records showed that this rat was trapped alive in the bunkers of s.s. 11 Marauke. ” The vessel was immediately visited, and steps were taken to prevent rats passing from ship to shore. The crew were examined, but nothing suspicious of plague was discovered. Crews quarters, engine room, bunkers, stores, etc., were carefully searched and more traps set. On October 9th the City Bacteriologist reported that the cultures were not those of plague. On October 10th the vessel was permitted to continue the discharge of cargo under supervision by rat searchers. The adjoining sheds were carefully searched and traps set; the holds of the ship were also searched, but nothing suspicious of plague infection was found. On October 12th the City Bacteriologist further reported that the condition found in the rat under suspicion was definitely not plague, and the master of the ship was given a letter explaining the situation up to the time the vessel left Liverpool.