250 



and under the supervision of the port sanitary authority. Vice- 

 consul Richard Westacott reported that the destruction of rats on 

 vessels was provided for by regulation whenever the medical officer 

 of health was satisfied that such precaution against the introduction 

 of the spread of plague was necessary. 



In Liverpool, ConsulJ. L. Griffiths stated that earnest endeavors were 

 made to capture rats by professional rat catchers. On infected or sus- 

 pected ships, special precautions were taken to prevent the escape to 

 the shore of rodents. On noninfected or nonsuspected ships the 

 medical officer of health might also require the destruction of rats, 

 and in this case the expense was borne by the sanitary authority. 

 It is evident, therefore, that the precautions taken are in accordance 

 with the provisions of the International Sanitary Convention of Paris. 



It was the practice, at the time the consul sent his dispatch, to main- 

 tain strict surveillance over vessels likely to develop plague aboard 

 until after the period of incubation had been passed. 



In Southampton, according to Consul A. W. Swalm, a competent 

 man was employed by the dock authorities whose sole duty was to 

 wage war on rats. In addition, the night watchmen on all vessels were 

 required to perform the additional duty of trapping rats. The usual 

 precautions to prevent the passage of rats from ship to shore were 

 also observed. 



MEASURES AGAINST RATS AT AUSTRALIAN PORTS. 



The following are the regulations issued under the quarantine 

 act of 1908 by the commonwealth of Australia relating to the ingress 

 to and egress from vessels of rats and mice; the destruction of rats, 

 mice, and other vermin; and precautions against the introduction of 

 vermin from plague-infested places. 



136. (1) The master or owner of every vessel shall 



(a) Effectively obstruct against the migration of rats by means of stout wire 

 netting, all pipes, ports, cabin scuttles, and other openings or holes in the side of the 

 vessel next to the wharf, and also when cargo is being discharged into lighters, in the 

 side next to the lighters, and keep them so obstructed while the vessel is alongside 

 the wharf or lighters; 



(6) Prevent any organic refuse, galley scraps and waste from being discharged into 

 the waters or on the wharfs of any port. 



(2) The master or owner of any vessel arriving in any port in Australia from any place 

 proclaimed infected with plague, or as a place from or through which plague may be 

 brought or carried, under section 12 of the quarantine act, 1908, shall 



(a) Produce to the quarantine officer a certificate showing that an efficient fumiga- 

 tion of such vessel while empty had been carried out prior to departure. Such certifi- 

 cate, in the case of an oversea vessel, must (if the port of departure be within the British 

 dominions) be signed by the health officer of the port; or, when such port is a foreign 

 port, by the British consul. In the case of an interstate vessel the certificate must be 

 signed by a quarantine officer. In the absence of such certificate the quarantine 

 officer may require the cargo to be discharged in the stream. Efficient fumigation in 

 this regulation shall mean fumigation as specified in regulation 137 (2) 6; 



