§ MR. W. S. ALLENsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for War, If his attention has been called to a statement in a letter which appeared in the "Daily Telegraph" of April the 16th, to the effect that '' a soldier suffering from consumption or any other disease whereby he is incapacitated from continuing in Her Majesty's service, cannot be discharged till he has been subjected to the operation of cross-cupping," or branding; and, if so, whether such statement is correct; and, if correct, whether he thinks such a practice should be continued?
§ MR. CARDWELLin reply, said, the statement to which his hon. Friend had directed his attention was not correct. In consequence of his hon. Friend's Question he had made inquiry, and he found, as he expected, that cupping was never resorted to except when it was necessary as a remedy for disease.