ON SOMES ISLAND.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 463, 23 March 1909, Page 5

ON SOMES ISLAND.

IN QUARANTINE. INFECTIOUS DISEASE ON A LINER. Fortunately tho outbreaks of measles and scarlet fever on board tho White Star liner Corinthic, which arrived yesterday from England, proved not to be of an alarming character, and the precautions taken by the authorities were such as should allay any anxiety that may havo been felt by any section of the public. The vessel arrived in the stream at about 7 a.m., and was berthed at tho Queen's Wharf about 2 p.in. In the meantime, the passengers had been individually examined by Dr. i'ollen, the port health officer, and the patients and contacts had been landed for quarantine at Somes Island. Altogether 44 peoplo were landed on Somc3 Island "Nineteen of those are actual sufferers with the measles, and the other 25 are " contacts." Most of tho patients are children, and the " contacts " are chiefly their mothers and other children, who it is feared may contract tho disease. Fourteen eases of measles were reported on the arrival of the vessel, but hvc more were discovered by the port health officer (Dr. Pollen) during his personal examination of the passengers. Ihe cases are all of a mild description. The outbreak of measles was noted on the day the Corinthic left Capo Town, and from first to last there were 32 cases. Twelvo cabins m tho aftor-part of the ship were given up to tho measles patients, and every precaution was taken. , The very limited epidemic of scarlet fever first mado its presence known before tho vossel reached Icnerifto. Altogether thcro were five eases, and four were transferred to tho Wellington District Hospital immediately after the Corinthic had been berthed at Queen's Wharf. All those were convalescent, and tho other ono had already quite recovered. Tho cases were all very mild. Both diseases wore confined to the thirdclass section of tho passengers, with the solo exception that one member of the crew was a suiferor from scarlet fever. Tho health of all on board was otherwise very satisfactory. Tho fact that thcro was no infectious disease on tl'.e CoTinthic during her previous voyago is regarded as proof that the trouble in both instances must havo come from some outside source. Dr. Pollen gavo high praise to tho efficiency of the isolation and disinfection carried out on board under tho direction of Dr. Grant, tho ship's doctor.