Page:Lltreaties-ustbv001.pdf/378

Rh 4. The soiled linen, wearing apparel, and other articles of the crew and passengers which are considered by the health authority as being contaminated shall be disinfected.

5. The parts of the vessel which have been occupied by persons stricken with plague or which are considered by the health authority as being contaminated shall be disinfected.

6. The destruction of the rats on the vessel shall take place before or after the discharge of the cargo as rapidly as possible, and at all events within a maximum period of forty-eight hours, avoiding injury to the cargo, the plating, and the engines.

In the case of vessels in ballast, this operation shall be performed as soon as possible before taking on cargo.

22. Vessels suspected of plague shall be subjected to the measures indicated under Nos. 1, 4, and 5 of Article 21.

Moreover, the crew and passengers may be subjected to a surveillance not to exceed five days from the arrival of the vessel. The landing of the crew may be forbidden during the same period except in connection with the service.

It is recommended that the rats on the vessel be destroyed. This destruction should be effected before or after the discharge of cargo as rapidly as possible, and at all events within a maximum period of forty-eight hours, avoiding injury to the merchandise, plating, and engines.

In case of vessels in ballast, this operation shall be performed, if there is an occasion for it, as soon as possible and at all events before taking on cargo.

23. Vessels uninfected with plague shall be granted pratique immediately, whatever be the nature of their bill of health.

The only measures which the authority of the port of arrival may prescribe with regard to them shall be the following:

1. Medical inspection.

2. Disinfection of the soiled linen, wearing apparel, and other articles of the crew and passengers, but only in exceptional cases when the health authority has special reason to believe that they are contaminated.

3. Although not to be adopted as a general rule, the health authority may subject vessels coming from a contaminated port to an operation designed to destroy the rats on board, either before or after the discharge of the cargo. This operation should take place as soon as possible and should not in any event last more than twenty-four hours, avoiding injury to the cargo, plating, and engines, and avoiding hindrance to the movement of the passengers and crew between the vessel and the shore. In case of vessels in ballast, this operation, if there is occasion for it, should take place as soon as possible and at all events before taking on cargo.