HC Deb 21 June 1875 vol 225 cc256-7
SIR FREDERICK PERKINS

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that scarlet fever has broken out amongst the Soldiers of the Second Life Guards now stationed at Knightsbridge Barracks, and not only in the barracks but in the lodging-houses in the vicinity where many of the married men are located; and, whether, in view of this serious state of things, combined with the alleged unsanitary state of the barracks, he will consider the desirability of removing the barracks to a less densely populated locality?

MR. GATHORNE HARDY

Sir, on the 14th instant the medical authorities reported that since the 26th of May, the date of the first case, three cases of scarlatina had occurred among the men and three among the children living in barracks, and three among the children living outside the barracks. On the 17th instant one trooper was admitted into hospital with symptoms of a mild attack of scarlatina. All the cases have been of mild type, and nearly all are convalescent. In reporting the case on the 17th instant, the Surgeon Major 2nd Life Guards said— This is the only case I have had among the men since the 3rd instant, and I have no fresh cases to report among the women or children living in or out of barracks. With regard to the alleged unsanitary-state of the barracks, judging from the Sanitary Reports of the last three years, it would not appear that Knights bridge Barracks are in an unsanitary state as compared with other barracks in general. The annual ratio of admissions per 1,000 of the Household Cavalry is below that of other arms of the service generally. The result of a comparison between Knightsbridge and Regent's Park Barracks is much in favour of the former, if the proportion of illness from fevers and infectious diseases depending on unsanitary conditions of dwellings be alone taken. Scarlet fever has been, it is believed, prevalent in the neighbourhood of the barracks previous to the 2nd Life Guards coming there, and so far from bringing it, they had found it there.