§ MR. J. DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in 1893 the cost per inmate for stimulants in Carrickmacross Workhouse was 15s. 7d. per head, or almost one halfpenny in the pound on the rateable property in the 693 Union of Carrickmacross, whereas in Monaghan and Clones Workhouses the cost of stimulants in 1893 was nothing; and, if so, will he take steps to put a stop to such a large consumption of stimulants in Carrickmacross Workhouse?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe cost of stimulants in the Carrickmacross Union in the year 1893 was 15s. 7d. per head as stated, and in Monaghan and Clones Unions the cost of stimulants in the same period was 6d. and 3s. 4d. per head respectively. The Medical Officer of Carrickmacross Workhouse explains that the consumption of stimulants in 1893 was due to the exceptional number of cases which, in his opinion, required stimulants for their proper treatment. I am causing further inquiries to be made into this matter.
§ DR. KENNY (Dublin, College Green)inquired whether this was not entirely within the discretion of the medical officer?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI believe so, but many questions of this kind are addressed to me.