NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
APP. IX. ]
spread of infection by sea.
289
circumstances and in view of the optional nature of this part of the
regulations, the Government of India do not propose at present to issue
orders in addition to the orders of February and March last, with the
view of prohibiting the exportation from clean ports of articles included
in the "susceptible" list and coming from the Bombay Presidency and
Sind. But if the Governments of Madras, Bengal and Burma, after
consulting the mercantile community, consider that prohibitive orders
should issue with regard to all or any of the susceptible articles for
the protection of clean ports, the Government of India will be prepared
to consider proposals with this object.
It is to be remarked that new gunny-bags are not in the list of
articles classed as susceptible by the Conference.
10. The portion of Chapter II which relates to traffic by sea and
the measures to be adopted at ports of arrival is of great interest, not
only because of its direct bearing on the conditions of intercourse
between India and Europe, but also because it contains the conclu-
sions of the Conference on the important subject of the quarantine of
vessels.
The threefold division of vessels, referred to above, is maintained
in this chapter. The regulations respecting infected vessels are
that the sick are to be landed and isolated, and the remainder of
those on board to be subjected, at the discretion of the local author-
ity, either to "observation" or to "surveillance" for a period which
is not to exceed ten days from the occurrence of the last case of
plague. The term "observation" means the detention under obser-
vation of the person either on board a ship or in a place of segre-
gation on shore. Persons subjected to "surveillance" are not to
be isolated, but are to be allowed to proceed at once to their
destination where they are to remain under medical supervision.
In the case of an infected ship the dirty linen and other effects of
the passengers and crew which the local sanitary authorities may
consider likely to be contaminated, must be disinfected. So also
must the parts of the ship where the sick have resided, and the local
authorities may require a more extensive disinfection to be carried
out. Lastly the bilge-water must be thrown out after disinfection
and fresh drinking-water supplied.
In the case of suspected vessels, a medical inspection and the same
process of disinfection, discharge of bilge-water and supply of fresh
drinking-water is prescribed. It is further recommended that the crew
and passengers should be subjected to "surveillance" for a period of
ten days from the date of arrival of the vessel. Pratique is to be
given at once to healthy vessels, but it is also provided that, at the
option of the local authority, the precautionary measures enforced
c 37
290
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. IX.
in the case of suspected ships, except the disinfection of the vessel,
may be required ; and it is also recommended that the passengers and
crew should be subject to "surveillance" for a period sufficient to
complete a term of ten days from the date of departure of the
vessel from the infected port.
II. The quarantine rules made by the Governments of Madras,
Bengal and Burma under the powers conferred by section I, Act I
of 1870, with the previous sanction of the Governor General in Coun-
cil to protect their ports from being regarded by the European powers
as infected, prescribe fifteen days' quarantine for all vessels in which
a case of plague is found on arrival, or on which it is believed that a
case has occurred during the voyage, with this exception that the
rules for Calcutta apparently prescribe only eight days' quarantine
in the latter case. In the Bombay Presidency all the principal ports
are infected and the Government of Bombay have issued special rules
regarding inspection, segregation and disinfection at these ports,
Under the rules of the other Maritime Governments no communica-
tion may be held with other boats or vessels or with the shore whilst
the vessel remains in quarantine, but the Health Officer may direct
the removal of so many of the passengers and crew as may not be
suffering from illness, and whose services may not be required on
board, to places of segregation on shore where they are required to
complete the period of quarantine. If a case of plague occurs whilst
the quarantine is in progress, quarantine recommences for a further
period of fifteen days.
The period of fifteen days' quarantine was fixed in view of the
possibility that some of the Governments in Europe might not regard
quarantine as effective if it were prescribed for a shorter period, but
now that the Conference has authoritatively pronounced that the
period of incubation may be taken at ten days, the period of observa-
tion should be reduced from fifteen to ten days. The quarantine rules
in the case of vessels on which there is a case of plague at the time
of arrival, or on which it is believed that a plague case has occurred
during the voyage, should also be modified in accordance with the
regulations framed by the Conference for infected vessels. The
Government of Madras have already revised their rules in a similar
direction. The Governor General in Council lays special stress upon
the undesirability of detaining the sick and healthy on boardship to-
gether. The sick should be landed and treated in an isolation hospi-
tal and the healthy should be landed and detained tinder observation in
suitable segregation shelter for a period of ten days from the occur-
rence of the last case. The disinfection and other precautionary
measures prescribed by the Conference should also be complied with,
APP. IX, ]
spread of infection by sea.
291
12. The quarantine rules framed by the Maritime Governments
differ somewhat from one another as regards the treatment of vessels
O
on which no case of plague has occurred during the voyage. Their
general purport is to the effect that eight days' quarantine may be
imposed at the absolute or limited discretion of the Health Officer
unless pratique has been granted at Colombo or some other inter-
mediate port.
The maximum period of detention of a vessel on which the Health
Officer is satisfied that no case of plague has occurred should be ten
days from the date of departure from the infected port. If the Health
Officer is not satisfied that there has really been no case on board
or if ten days have not elapsed since the date of departure from the
infected port, the vessel may be detained, at his discretion, up to
this period. In any case in which a vessel is given free pratique less
than ten days after her departure from the infected port, the Health
Officer should be empowered, on the analogy of the rules for the
observation of persons travelling by railway which have been framed
by several of the Local Governments, to detain under observation
in a suitable place of segregation, up to a maximum of ten days from
the date of departure of the vessel, any person landed from the ship
whom he may consider to be in any way likely to carry infection.
Any articles of clothing or other effects belonging to the persons
detained or to other persons which by reason of their dirty condition
or otherwise may be considered likely to be contaminated, should be
disinfected. Discretion may be given to the Health Officer to apply
the other provisions regarding disinfection, etc., prescribed by the
Convention in the case of suspected ships. The Local Government
may also make such arrangements as are possible for the surveillance
of persons who are not detained, on arrival at their destination.
Free pratique granted at Colombo or other intermediate port should
be recognised.
I am to request that, with permission of
His Excellency the Governor of
Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of
Bombay
Madras
Bengal'
Burma
the quarantine rules in force in
Bombay
Madras
Bengal
Burma
may be modified in accord-
ance with the above remarks, and that a copy of the revised rules
may be forwarded to this Department for insertion in the Govern-
ment of India Gazette.
13. The Government of Bombay have at present under consider-
ation the revision of the rules for the port of Aden. In making this
revision the conclusions of the Conference should be borne in mind.
In view of the position of Aden as the port of call for Europe the
292
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. IX.
existing rule which refuses pratique to all vessels until ten days from
the date of their departure should be maintained.
14. The remainder of the Convention does not call for special
comment,
No. 88,
Translation of the Venice Convention.
Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress
of India; His Majesty the King of Spain, and, in his name, Her
Majesty the Queen Regent; His Majesty the Emperor of Germany,
King of Prussia, on behalf of the German Empire ; His Majesty the
Emperor of Austria, King of Bohemia, etc., etc., and Apostolic
King of Hungary ; His Majesty the King of Belgium; the President
of the French Republic ; His Majesty the King of Greece ; His Majesty
the King of Italy ; His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxem-
bourg ; His Highness the Prince of Montenegro; His Majesty the
Sultan of Turkey ; Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, and,
in her name, Her Majesty the Queen Regent ; His Majesty the Shah
of Persia ; His Majesty the King of Portugal and Algarva; His
Majesty the King of Roumania ; His Majesty the Emperor of
Russia ; His Majesty the King of Servia; the Federal Council of
Switzerland.
Having decided to concert measures for the prevention of the
introduction and spread of the plague, and for the necessary sanitary
supervision of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf traffic, have nominated
their plenipotentiaries as follows :—
[Here follow the names of the plenipotentiaries nominated by the
several Governments.]
These plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their full powers, and
found them in due and proper form, are agreed on the following regu-
lations with regard to districts infected with plague, and with regard
to arrivals from those districts :
1. The measures described in the General Sanitary Regulations
for the prevention of the introduction and spread of the plague, annex-
ed to the present Convention, are adopted and have the same force
as if they were embodied in it.
2. The proper authorities in Morocco will be requested to apply, tc
the ports of that country, measures in conformity with those prescribed
in the above mentioned rules.
3. Those countries which have not taken part in the Conference,
or which have not signed the Convention, may, on demand, be per-
mitted to become parties to it.
APP. IX. ]
spread of infection by sect.
293
The fact will be notified, through diplomatic channels, to the
Italian Government, and by the latter to the other Governments who
are parties to the Convention.
4. The present Convention will remain in force for five years, dat-
ing from the exchange of ratifications.
It will be renewed every five years, by tacit consent, unless one of
the high contracting parties notifies, six months before the expiration
of the aforesaid period of five years, its intention to withdraw from
it.
In the event of one of the powers withdrawing from the Conven-
tion, this withdrawal will only effect that, power.
5. The high contracting parties reserve to themselves the right of
suggesting, through diplomatic channels, any modifications which they
may deem necessary in the Convention or its annexures.
The Convention will be ratified ; the ratifications will be deposited
at Rome, as soon as possible, and, at the latest, within one year from
the date of signature.
In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have signed
and sealed the Convention.
Executed at Venice, in eighteen parts, on the 19th March 1897.
GENERAL RULES FOR THE PREVENTION OF THE
INTRODUCTION AND SPREAD OF THE PLAGUE.
CHAPTER I.
Measures to be taken out of Europe.
I.
NOTIFICATION.
The Government of each country which adheres to the present
Convention will notify to the Governments of the other countries, by
telegram, the appearance of any case of plague in their territories in
accordance with section I, Chapter II, "Measures to be taken in
Europe." Sections 2, 3 and 4 of the same chapter are also applic-
able out of Europe.
It is also desirable that the measures prescribed for countries in
Europe in order to keep the signatories of the Convention informed
of an outbreak of the plague, and also the means adopted to prevent
its propagation, and importation into uninfected countries, should be
applied in other countries.
294
Measures to prevent
the
[ APP. IX.
II.
SANITARY MEASURES FOR SHIPS SAILING FROM INFECTED
PORTS.
MEASURES APPLICABLE BOTH TO ORDINARY VESSELS AND TO
PILGRIM SHIPS.
1. Compulsory individual medical inspection, by day, on shore, at
the time of embarkation, during such period as may be necessary, by
a doctor appointed by public authority, on each person sailing on the
ship.
The Consular authority interested in the ship may be present
at this inspection.
2. Compulsory and rigorous disinfection, on shore, under the
superintendence of a doctor appointed by public authority, of
every contaminated or suspected article in the manner prescribed in
paragraph 5, Chapter III of the annexure to this Convention.
3. Prevention of the embarkation of any person showing symptoms
of plague.
PILGRIM SHIPS.
1. When there is plague in the port, embarkation on board
pilgrim ships must not take place, until the pilgrims collected in groups
have been subjected to an inspection sufficient to ascertain that none
of them are suffering from plague.
It is to be understood that in carrying out this measure each Gov-
ernment may take into account local considerations and conditions.*
2. Pilgrims must possess the means absolutely necessary for the
accomplishment of the pilgrimage, for the voyage out and for the
return voyage and for the sojourn in the holy places, if local circum-
stances permit of this rule being enforced.
MEASURES TO BE TAKEN ON BOARD PILGRIM SHIPS.
SECTION I.—General Rules.
Art. 1.—The following regulations are applicable to pilgrim ships
which carry Muhammadan pilgrims to or from the Hedjaz or the
Persian Gulf.
Art. 2.—A ship is not to be considered a pilgrim ship although, in
addition to her ordinary passengers, among whom may be included
pilgrims of the upper classes, it carries pilgrims of the lowest class
in a less proportion than one pilgrim per 100 tons gross.
* The Conference has decided, for instance, that, in the Dutch Indies, this inspsction
may be made on boardship at the time of departure.
APP. IX.]
spread of infection by sea.
295
Art. 3.—Every pilgrim ship, on entering the Red Sea and the
Persian Gulf, must conform to the instructions contained in the Rules
specially prescribed for the pilgrimage to the Hedjaz which will be
published by the Constantinpole Board of Health, in accordance with
the principles laid down in the present Convention,
Art. 4.—Steamers only are permitted to carry pilgrims on long
voyages. The carriage of pilgrims by other ships on such voyages is
prohibited.
Pilgrim ships, on coasting service, intended for short passages
called "coasting voyages," must obey the instructions contained in
the special rules mentioned in article 3.
SECTION II.—Measures to be taken before departure.
Art. 5.—The captain, or in default the proprietor or agent of every
pilgrim ship, is bound to declare to the appointed authority* of the
port of departure his intention to embark pilgrims, at least three days
before departure. This declaration must state the proposed date of
departure and destination of the vessel.
Art. 6.—On receipt of this declaration, the appointed authority
will proceed, at the expense of the captain, to inspect and measure
the vessel. The Consular authority interested in the ship may be
present at this inspection.
The inspection need not be performed if the captain is already
furnished with an official certificate of measurement, unless it is
believed that this document no longer corresponds to the actual state
of the vessel.
Art. 7.—The appointed authority must not permit the departure of
a pilgrim ship until he has satisfied himself :
(a) That the ship has been thoroughly cleaned and, if necessary,
disinfected.
(b) That the ship is in a condition to undertake the voyage with-
out danger, that she is properly manned, equipped and
ventilated, and provided with a sufficient number of boats ;
that there is on board nothing that is, or is likely to be-
come, injurious to the health or safety of the passengers,
and that the upper and lower decks are of wood, or of iron
sheathed in wood.
* The appointed authority is: in British India, an officer appointed on this behalf
by the Local Government (Native Passengers Ships Act, 1887, article 7) ; in the Dutch
Indies, the captain of the port; in Turkey, the sanitary authority j in Austro-Hungary,
the port officer ; in Italy, the captain of the port ; in France, Tunis and Spain, the sani-
tary authority ; in Egypt, the sanitary, quarantine, etc., authority.
296
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. IX
(c) That there is on board, properly stowed away, over and above
the rations for the crew, sufficient food and fuel for all the
pilgrims, during the declared duration of the voyage.
(d) That the drinking-water is of good quality and from a source
protected from contamination ; that it is in sufficient quan-
tity ; that the tanks for drinking-water are safe from all
contamination and so closed that the distribution of water
can only be made by taps or pumps.
(e) That the vessel carries a condenser, capable of distilling a
minimum quantity of 1 gallon of water per diem, for every
person on board, including crew.
(f) That the ship possesses a disinfecting stove, certified to be
safe and efficacious.
(g) That, in accordance with the rules laid down in articles
II and 23, the vessel carries a diplomaed and licensed
doctor,* appointed either by the Government of the
country to which she belongs or by the Government of the
port where the pilgrims embark, and that she carries
medical stores.
(h) That the deck is free from merchandise and all encum-
brances.
(i) That the arrangements on board are such as to allow of the
measures prescribed in section III being carried out.
Art. 8.—The captain will cause notices, in the languages com-
monly spoken by the pilgrims, to be posted up in a conspicuous place,
accessible to all concerned, showing :—
(1) the destination of the ship ;
(2) the daily ration of food and water allowed to each pilgrim ;
(3) the price of articles not included in the daily ration, which can
be procured on extra payment.
Art. 9.—The captain must not start without having in his pos-
session—
(1) a list, countersigned by the appointed authority, showing the
name, sex, and total number of pilgrims he is authorised to
carry ;
(2) a bill-of-health, stating the name, nationality and tonnage of
the ship, the name of the captain and of the doctor, the exact
number of persons embarked—crew, pilgrims and other pas-
sengers—the nature of the cargo and the port of departure.
The appointed authority will note on the certificate whether or
not the authorised number of pilgrims has been embarked, and, in
* Except in the case of Governments without licensed doctors,
APP. IX.]
spread of infection by sea.
297
the latter case, the additional number of passengers the vessel is
authorised to embark at subsequent ports of call.
Art. ID.—The appointed authority will take stringent measures
to prevent the embarkation of any suspicious person or article.*
in accordance with the rules laid down for precautions to be taken
in ports.
SECTION III.—Precatition to be taken on the voyage.
Art. II.—Every ship embarking pilgrims should have on board
a licensed doctor, appointed by the Government of the country to
which the ship belongs, or by the Government of the port where the
pilgrims are embarked. A second doctor should be carried when the
number of pilgrims exceeds 1,000.
Art. 12.—The doctor must inspect the pilgrims, tend the sick, and
see that sanitary rules are observed on board.
He must, in particular—
(1) satisfy himself that the rations issued to the pilgrims are of
good quality, and of the quantity agreed on, and that they
are properly cooked ;
(2) satisfy himself that the rules in article 2o, regarding the dis-
tribution of water, are observed ;
(3) if not satisfied as to the quality of the drinking-water, call the
attention of the captain, in writing, to the rules in article 21 ;
(4) satisfy himself that the vessel is always kept clean, and
particularly that the latrines are cleaned out, in accordance
with the directions in article 18 ;
(5) satisfy himself that the pilgrims' quarters are kept healthy,
and, in case of the occurrence of infectious disease, that
disinfection is carried out in the manner prescribed in article
19;
(6) keep a diary of all sanitary matters during the voyage and
submit this diary to the appointed authority at the port of
arrival.
Art. 13.—The vessel must be capable of accommodating the pil-
grims in the between decks.
Over and above the space required for the crew, the ship must
contain at least sixteen superficial feet and a height between decks
of at least six feet of space available for each person irrespective of
age. In coasting vessels, each pilgrim must be allowed a space at
least six-and-a-half feet wide along the gunwales.
* See Chapter IV, section I, articles 1 and 2 of this Convention.
C38
298
Measures to prevent the
[ APP. IX.
Art. 14.—During the voyage the deck must be kept free from
encumbrances ; it must be reserved, night and day, for the passengers,
and, placed without charge, at their disposal.
Art. 15.—The heavy baggage of the pilgrims must be registered,
numbered and placed in the hold. Pilgrims may only keep with them
such articles as are absolutely necessary.
The nature, quantity and dimensions of such articles will be
decided by each Government, for its own ships.
Art. 16.—The between decks must be carefully washed and rubbed
with dry sand, mixed with disinfectants, every day while the pilgrims
are on deck.
Art. 17.— On each side of the ship, on deck, a place should be
set apart, screened from view and provided with a hand-pump, to
supply sea-water, for the use of the pilgrims. One such place should
be exclusively reserved for women.
Art. 18.—The ship must be provided, in addition to the latrines
for the crew, with water-closets in a minimum proportion of one per
hundred passengers. Some latrines must be reserved for women.
No closets must be allowed between decks or in the hold. The
latrines allotted to the passengers, as well as those of the crew, must be
kept clean, and should be flushed and disinfected three times a day.
Art. 19.—The ship must be disinfected in accordance with the
instructions in paragraphs 5 and 6 of Chapter III of the annexure to
this Convention.
Art. 20.—At least 8 gallons of drinking-water must be issued daily
to each pilgrim, irrespective of age, free of charge.
Art. 21.— If there is any doubt as to the quality of the drinking-
water, or as to the possibility of its pollution either at its source or
during the voyage, it must be boiled or otherwise sterilised, and the
captain is responsible for seeing that it is thrown overboard, at the
first port of call, where it is possible to procure a purer supply.
Art. 22.—The ship must have two cabooses or cooking ranges
provided for the use of the pilgrims. The pilgrims should be forbid-
den to light fires elsewhere, especially on the deck.
Art. 23.—Each ship must carry such medicines and medical
stores as are necessary for the treatment of the sick. The rules drawn
up for pilgrimships, by each Government, will determine the nature
and quantity of such stores. Attendance and medicines must be
provided for the pilgrims free of charge.
Art. 24.—A hospital properly fitted up, and constructed with due
attention to health and safety, must be reserved for the accommo-
dation of the sick. It should be capable of accommodating at least 5