HC Deb 02 July 1883 vol 281 cc57-8
SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

There is a good deal of uneasiness prevalent in regard to the outbreak of cholera in Egypt, and also some impression that insufficient precautions have been taken to prevent it spreading. I do not know whether any information could be given to the House on the subject at once. If not, I will put a Question to-morrow.

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Sir, I have the last telegrams in regard to the number of deaths from cholera in Egypt. They are sent by Mr. Cookson from Alexandria. They state that on June 30 the deaths at Damietta were 109; at Mansourah, 4; and at Samanond, 4. On July 1, the deaths were—at Damietta, 140; and at Mansourah, 14. The Egyptian Government has taken every precaution, by establishing a sanitary cordon round the district of Damietta and Mansourah, which was the head-quarters of the terrible disease; and, so far as it is possible to judge, the disease has hardly made itself felt at all beyond that district; and, though, perhaps, it is rash to speak on such a subject, it does look as if the measures already taken have, to a considerable extent, succeeded in confining the disease to that district, and so far isolating it, because, although several days have now elapsed since the first outbreak, it remains, on the whole, confined to the district in which it originally broke out.