§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Health what is the average length of time from the inoculation before the determining tuberculous lesions develop in the animal or animals used for experiment; and how are such lesions differentiated from non-tuberculous lesions?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am advised that the average length of time for an experimental tuberculous lesion to develop varies with the virulence and type of strain of tubercle bacilli inoculated, with the route of inoculation and with the type of animal employed in the experiment. In most experimental animals the lesion may be well marked about the tenth day. The lesions are differentiated from non-tuberculous lesions by the presence of the bacillus tuberculosis or, failing that, by their specific structural character.
§ Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Health where, as a rule, is the place of inoculation for the prevention of tuberculosis, and if the method of inoculation is usually subcutaneous?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am not aware of any method of inoculation for the prevention of tuberculosis in man which is practised on an extensive scale. If my hon. Friend is referring to Professor Calmette's method of prophylaxis by a vaccine (BCG), I am advised that this is given to new-born infants by mouth as a rule and not by the subcutaneous route.