§ MR. MOOREasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether any and what precautions have been taken in view of the approach of cholera; whether any instructions have been issued to the local authorities regarding the use and distribution of disinfectants; and, whether it is intended to appoint any medical Commission of Inquiry to assist the Local Government Board if necessary?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKECholera Regulations which define the duties and powers of officers of Customs and Port sanitary authorities in view of cholera being brought by shipping were issued in July, 1883, and are still in force. The Regulations were accompanied by an Explanatory Circular, and by a Memorandum as to "precautions against the infection of cholera" prepared by the Board's medical officer. This Memorandum was reissued in July last. Regulations have also from time to time been issued relating to rags from infected countries. Orders respecting rags from France and Italy are at present in force. 1837 The Board have caused inspection to be made by Dr. Blaxall and Dr. De Chaumont of the sanitary condition of the principal English ports, particularly with reference to their preparedness against cholera. This inspection is to be repeated. Each rumoured case of cholera on board ships coming to English ports has been the subject of inquiry by the Board; and the local sanitary authorities have in each instance, been found to be taking proper precautions against the importation of the disease. The Royal College of Physicians of London, after consulting the Board, have issued a Paper of Advice to the public, dated July, 1884. As regards London, Sir F. Bolton has made special reports to the Board of the state of the water supplies. The Metropolitan Asylums Board have been taking numerous preliminary steps with reference to the provision of hospital accommodation in the event of an outbreak of cholera; and the Metropolitan medical officers of health have been advising the Vestries and District Boards, and taking much counsel with each other as to the most efficient preparations and the best course of action if cases of cholera should appear. The Board are prepared, if occasion should require, to put into force in England the provisions of the Diseases Prevention Act, 1855, and the Diseases Prevention Clauses of the Public Health Act, 1875. If Regulations were issued under those Acts, they would contemplate a serious epidemic and be of a stringent character. It was not deemed requisite to exercise powers under similar enactments when cholera was seriously prevalent in Paris in 1873. As regards the use and distribution of disinfectants, the sanitary authorities have their official medical advisers, and at present there would appear to the Board to be no necessity for their intervention; but they will, of course, be desirous of rendering the local authorities every assistance in their power. The medical officer of the Board, Dr. Buchanan, has had considerable experience of cholera in England, especially during the outbreaks of 1854 and 1865–6; and the Board have the greatest confidence in him and his staff. I may, however, mention that a Committee was formed in 1883 for the purpose of conferring as to cholera. This Committee included, with our own medical officer, Sir William Jenner, 1838 Sir Joseph Fayrer, who has had long experience of cholera in India, Sir Lyon Playfair, and representatives of the Foreign Office, the Home Office, the Customs, the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and the Local Government Board. It has not been considered necessary to call the Committee together during the present year; but not long since a conference took place between representatives of the Metropolitan Asylums managers and members of our medical staff and myself to consider the question of arrangements in the event of an outbreak in London. I may add that there is no truth in the rumour prevalent in Paris that there has been any cholera in London, or, indeed, in England.
§ MR. MOOREMay I ask in what form the Paper of Advice issued by the Royal College of Physicians is published, and where it can be obtained?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI have seen a copy of it, and will cause a copy to be sent to the hon. Member; but I cannot speak as to the manner in which it has been circulated. I imagine it has been sent to the various sanitary officers.