HC Deb 19 March 1896 vol 38 cc1339-40
MR. RADCLIFFE COOKE (Hereford)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, whether he is aware that an alarming outbreak of small-pox has now been raging in Gloucester for many weeks, and is still on the increase; how many deaths have occurred in the course of it, and how many persons are now laid down with the disease; whether it has been brought to his notice that small-pox is steadily increasing along the line of the Midland Railway in the direction of Stroud, Nailsworth, Frocester, and Dursley, and that small-pox was recently imported into Leominster from Gloucester; and, whether any steps have been taken for the disinfection of the railway carriages on lines running out of Gloucester?

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. HENRY CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, Sleaford

There has been a very serious outbreak of smallpox in the city of Gloucester. Altogether there have been 495 cases notified; of these 300 are still under treatment for the disease, and 93 have died. I have received communications from the Stroud and Nailsworth Urban District Councils and from the Councils of the Wheaten-hurst and Dursley rural districts, in which Frocester and Dursley are situated, and I find that the cases in those places have been few in number, the majority thus far being isolated attacks. I addressed a letter to the Gloucester Rural District Council, but have not yet received the information asked for with respect to that district. There have been three cases of small-pox in Leominster, but they have not been directly traced to Gloucester. The Local Government Board have no evidence that the railway carriages on the lines referred to have been infected, and they feel sure that there would be no indisposition on the part of the railway company to adopt any disinfection which the medical officer of health might recommend if it was found necessary.

MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, W.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware how many unvaccinated children have died in Gloucester?

MR. CHAPLIN

I have no information on that point.

MR. RADCLIFFE COOKE

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the medical officer of health for Bristol has stated in the public Press that isolation and disinfection are played out, and that the one chance of salvation——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Question on the paper.

MR. RADCLIFFE COOKE

Then I will ask the right hon. Gentleman a Question arising out of the Question on the Paper. Is the right hon. Gentleman a ware that, in consequence of this outbreak of small-pox in Gloucester, the recruits of the 4th Battalion of Militia——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise tint of the Question. [Laaughter.]