§ MR. R. PIERPOINT (Warrington)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War, how many cases of diphtheria, and how many of diphtheritic sore throat, have been admitted to hospital in the camps at Aldershot during the last six months?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordDuring the last six months there have been admitted to the hospitals at Aldershot 137 cases of diphtheria and 525 cases of sore throat. In the latter, the returns do not differentiate septic sore throat. In the diphtheria cases, the type has been that known as "benign," and they have readily yielded to the anti-toxin treatment—only one death having resulted from this complaint. Although full investigation was made, in none of the cases could the origin of the disease be definitely traced. Some medical officers, however, are inclined to ascribe its prevalence, and that of septic sore throat, to the recent necessary opening up of the old drains for the purpose of reconstruction. The question is engaging most careful attention.