§ DR. TANNERI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been directed to the poisoning of six persons, resulting in the death of one, in consequence of having eaten tinned salmon; whether it is a fact that many cases of acute gastric irritation and tin poisoning have been reported from time to time consequent upon the consumption of tinned fish and shell fish (lobster); and whether, having regard to the evidence given in the case referred to by Dr. Arthur P. Luff, an expert, before Dr. Danford Thomas, steps will be taken to inquire into the subject for the protection of the public and the safeguarding of legitimate trade?
§ *MR. RITCHIEI have received a copy of the depositions in this case. I understand that the jury found that the deceased died from the effects of an irritant poison in the shape of ptomaines, probably conveyed in tinned salmon eaten by the deceased. Cases of poisoning by shell fish have from time to time been recorded, but cases of poisoning by other fish are rare, and only one instance of poisoning by such other fish, tinned, is known to the Local Government Board. The evidence given by Dr. Luff is to the effect that he did not detect ptomaines in any of the articles sent to him, which included another tin of salmon procured from the same shop. The experience of the Department is that cases of poisoning of this sort are not in any way special to fish or to tinned 315 provisions. The general subject of poisoning by agents of this class is habitually under observation by the Medical Department of the Local Government Board, and it does not appear to me that any special inquiry as regards the case of tinned fish is necessary.
§ DR. TANNERThis is an important public question. Am I to understand that the Local Government Board think from inquiries made that there is no danger attaching to the use of this tinned fish?
§ *MR. RITCHIEIt is impossible for me to say that. As I have said, only one case of poisoning by such fish is known to the Local Government Board; but obviously it is impossible for me to say there is no danger in the use of such provisions.
§ DR. TANNERBut seeing that there has been this case with fatal result, can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to directing an inquiry to set doubts at rest?
§ *MR. RITCHIEI can assure the hon. Member that this subject has been repeatedly under inquiry by the Local Government Board, and most careful inquiries are constantly being made.