HC Deb 18 March 1887 vol 312 c725
MR. M'ARTHUR (Leicester)

asked the President of the Local Government board, Whether, with a view to minimise the risks of vaccination, new Instructions have been issued to public vaccinators; whether, in Article 7 of those Instructions, direction is given for the careful examination of vaccinifers as to the existence of skin diseases, and particularly of hereditary syphilis; and, whether eminent authorities like Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson and Mr. Brudenell Carter have testified that the signs of syphilis are frequently undistinguishable until after the vaccination age?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

Revised Instructions have been issued; but the direction referred to was contained in the old Instructions. I am not aware whether Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Brudenell Carter have testified in the way referred to in the last Question; but I may say that the be are know of no evidence of syphilis having been communicated by vaccination from a child not itself presenting signs of syphilis. I may add that I am informed that signs of inherited syphilis in a child usually make their appearance within two months after birth, and the customary vaccination age in England is three or four months.