§ MR. J. C. MACDONA (Southwark, Rotherhithe)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the coroner's jury on the death of a young woman, named Gray, in Kentish Town, returned a verdict of manslaughter on 6th February against Mrs. Rake, the nurse who attended her, and that it was stated in evidence that, receiving notice to cease attending cases in consequence of being infected with puerperal fever, she visited three women, in each of which the patient took the fever and died; and, what further steps will the Government take to protect women from such danger of infection?
THE SECRETARY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Sir WALTER FOSTER)Puerperal fever was specified in the Infectious Diseases (Notification) Act, 1889, in order that the authority might be able to warn midwives and others who have been attending puerperal fever, against attending other midwifery cases. In the instance referred to it appears from the evidence that the nurse was warned first by the Medical Officer of Health and then by the Vestry Clerk. The warning was, however, disregarded, and the woman is now being prosecuted for a criminal offence. Such action by the authorities must, in itself, tend very effectually to prevent the recurrence of cases such as that alluded to.
§ MR. MACDONAMay I ask if the Government are prepared to bring in a Bill for the registration of duly qualified nurses to whom certificates to act as midwives might be given?
§ SIR B. W. FOSTERI am not aware of any such intention.