HC Deb 04 May 1883 vol 278 c1871
MR. W. J. CORBET

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the investigation relative to the outbreak of typhus fever in Jones's Court, Dublin, has terminated, and with what result?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, this matter has been inquired into as fully as possible by the Medical Inspector of the Local Government Board, and copies of his Reports have been furnished by the Government to the Corporation of Dublin. They go to show that, while it is to be regretted that the dispensary doctor, who was a newly-appointed officer, and not familiar with all the provisions of the Public Health Act, did not promptly report the nature of Roe's illness to the officer of the Corporation, who might have taken steps to prevent the holding of a wake, yet there is no reason to think that he was guilty of any wilful neglect of duty; and, as has already been stated, the weight of evidence goes to show that the fever was not spread by the wake, but by concealment on the part of those families in which the disease first appeared. There does not appear to be any manner in which the Government can further interfere usefully in the matter; but they will be interested to know what action will be taken by the Corporation?

MR. GRAY

asked if the right lion. Gentleman desired to convey an opinion that the Corporation of Dublin was in any way responsible?

MR. TREVELYAN

replied, that the medical dispensary officer ought to have reported the outbreak. He thought this medical officer was appointed by the Corporation.

MR. GRAY

As a matter of fact, the Corporation of Dublin have nothing whatever to do with his appointment.