HC Deb 08 September 1893 vol 17 c651
MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether inquiry has been made by the County Medical Officer of Health for Ross and Cromarty into the serious outbreak of diphtheria at the Port of Ness, Island of Lewis; and whether, should the Board of Supervision investigate into the cause of the outbreak, it will do so through the agency of a member who is a medical man and not entrust the inquiry to a lawyer?

THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Sir G. TREVELYAN,) Glasgow, Bridgeton

Inquiry has been made into the recent outbreak of diphtheria at the Port of Ness by the Sanitary Medical Officer in charge of that part of the island—Dr. Ross, of Borve, a thoroughly competent official—and by the deputy Chief Medical Officer of the district, Dr. Macrae. They have notified to the County Medical Officer 18 cases of mild type at Ness and one at Barvas. The infected districts have been visited by Drs. Ross and Macrae, and reported on to Lewis District Committee, and instructions given to Sanitary Inspector as to necessary prompt action and precautions as to disinfection, &c. The Board of Supervision will be made aware of the outbreak at their next meeting on the 12th instant; but, in the circumstances above stated, it is improbable that they will think it necessary to make further investigations.