§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that last year upwards of 42 lbs. of chloroform-morphia was administered to the inmates of the Exeter Workhouse, and that it has been the practice to leave a certain quantity of this compound (undiluted) in other charge than that of the medical officer; whether he proposes to take any action in this particular instance; and, in any case, whether he will direct the Inspectors of his Department to inquire, as occasion may serve, into the conditions under which dangerous drugs are administered in Poor Law institutions?
§ *MR. RITCHIEI have communicated with the Guardians of the Exeter Union, and am informed by them that it is the fact that 42 lb. of chloroform-morphia were consumed at the workhouse during the past year. It appears that the medical officer, who has usually from 130 to 140 cases on his books, keeps the medicine in its original form in a locked cupboard, but that he leaves out a small quantity in a phial bottle for use by the nurses in cases of emergency. He does not consider that this practice is attended with danger. The Board are advised, however, that it is desirable that the tincture should only be given under such medical supervision as is possible, and they have informed the Guardians accordingly. It is the practice of the Board's Inspectors to call attention to any neglect of proper precautions in the use of dangerous drugs 1557 at a workhouse which may come under their notice.