MR. GORSTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether his attention has been called to the death of Robert Mills, an engineer student on board H.M.S. "Marlborough," at Portsmouth, from the results of a severe chill caught in the execution of his duty; and, whether it is intended to attach a medical officer to the "Marlborough," or to make any improved arrangement for the supervision of the health of the engineer students?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, I regret to say that it is the case that Mr. Robert Mills, engineer student on board the Marlborough, died on the 24th of May, from acute and rapid congestion of the lungs, the result of a chill sustained on duty in the Sultan on the 22nd of May. Until the morning of the 24th, although showing some symptoms of ill- 1594 ness, he had been going about as usual. He was then seen by a medical officer, who placed him on the sick list, although the illness was not believed to be serious. In the evening he became worse, and, notwithstanding all that the doctor in attendance could do, rapidly succumbed to the disease. As the death was unusually sudden, an inquest was held, and the facts were fully investigated, with the result that the jury expressed an opinion that he had received all possible care. It was with great regret that the Admiralty learnt the melancholy and premature termination of this young student's career; but they do not see in the facts of the case any reason for attaching a special medical officer to the Marlborough, the duty being efficiently performed by one of the medical officers of the Asia, and the medical officers of the Yard.