(1) No pilgrim shall be received on board any pilgrim ship at any port or place in India unless and until he has been medically inspected, at such time and place, and in such manner, as the Central Government may fix in this behalf, nor until the certifying officer has given permission for the embarkation of pilgrims to commence.
     (2) The medical inspection of female pilgrims shall, subject to any rules which may be made under this Act and as far as may be practicable, be carried out by women.
     (3) No pilgrim shall be received on board any pilgrim ship unless he produces the medical certificate signed by a person who is duly qualified to grant such certificate, showing that such pilgrim--
         (a) has been inoculated against cholera within such period before the inspection, as may be prescribed; and
         (b) has been vaccinated against small-pox within such period before the inspection as may be prescribed:
     Provided that the officer making the inspection may dispense with the certificate of vaccination, if in his opinion the pilgrim has marks showing that he has had small-pox.
     (4) If, in the opinion of the officer making an inspection under this section, any pilgrim is suffering from cholera or choleraic indisposition, or any dangerously infectious or contagious disease, or shows any signs of the same or any other suspicious symptoms, such pilgrim shall not be permitted to embark.
     (5) All articles which have been contaminated by persons suffering from cholera or choleraic indisposition, or any dangerously infectious or contagious disease, or are suspected having been so contaminated shall, before being taken on board a pilgrim ship, be disinfected, under the supervision of a medical officer appointed by the Central Government for the purpose, in such manner as may be prescribed.