HC Deb 14 August 1878 vol 242 cc1946-7
MR. MONK

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is able to inform the House what truth there is in the statement that has appeared in the "Daily News," that the unhealthiness of the troops in Cyprus is assuming serious dimensions; that out of 150 Sappers quartered near Larnaca 57 are in the hospitals; that the 42nd Regiment has upwards of 50 sick, and that the 101st Regiment is nearly as bad; that the Commissariat department is suffering severely from the prevalent sickness among officers and men; and that fever, complicated with severe diarrhœa, has attacked the sailors and marines who have been employed on shore, as well as the European and Maltese servants and interpreters?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can inform the House what are the most recent accounts he has received relating to the health of the troops in Cyprus?

COLONEL STANLEY

Sir, the latest information that I have is a telegram received two days ago from Sir Garnet Wolseley, who says— There is no serious illness among the troops. Some six cases are in hospital from the mild fever of the country. The men are doing well, and are likely to be on duty soon. I have since received other telegrams from Cyprus about other business. No reference is made in them to any special degree of sickness, and therefore I am in hopes that these cases are not so severe as some people may imagine. I do not like referring to private letters; but I have just received by this mail a letter from Sir Garnet Wolseley, in which he says—"The health of the men continues excellent, although the heat during the day is very great in the bell tents." I have also received a medical report, and although I have not been able to go through it as carefully as I could wish, there have been apparently only two fatal cases of enteric fever. I may be allowed to ask the House to remember that there are only two conditions in which a soldier is considered with respect to health. He is either fit for every duty, or he is placed on the sick list. Therefore, even a cut finger, or a common cold, or anything which prevents him from discharging every duty, would be sufficient to put him on the sick list. That may account for the apparently large number on the sick list according to some accounts. Judging from the accounts I have received, I cannot say there is any cause for anxiety.