§ MR. YOUNGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that the rule which compels all sick persons, whether pay patients or not, entering the infirmary of a workhouse to wear union clothes, prevents large numbers from availing themselves of those hospitals, thereby causing much suffering and the spread of infectious diseases, especially in rural districts; and, whether he will take steps to rescind this rule, and leave it discretionary with the medical officers to permit patients to use their own clothes when considered by them sanitary?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe rule referred to, which also applies in England and Scotland, requires that the clothing of patients suffering from infectious and other diseases shall be taken from them on admission to the workhouse infirmary, and cleansed and disinfected. I am not aware that the operation of this rule has the effect ascribed to it in the Question, and the Local Government Board are of opinion that it could not be rescinded without 1242 endangering the health of the inmates of the institution. Nor is it deemed advisable to vest in the medical officer the discretionary power suggested.