§ Mr. PATRICK M'HUGH (Leitrim, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that the Eastern disease, beri-beri, is at present prevalent in Richmond Lunatic Asylum, Dublin; how long has this institution been afflicted with this disease, and how many nurses have suffered from it: whether medical experts, including medical gentlemen of the highest eminence connected with the institution, attribute the existence of the disease to overcrowding: Is he aware that the Board of Control of Lunatic Asylums is responsible for the overcrowding: and will he take steps to secure that the Board of Control will not be permitted to stand in the way of necessary reforms in connection with this asylum?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALE BALFOUR, Leeds, Central)Thirty-six patients and three nurses in the Richmond Asylum are at present suffering from the disease known as beri-beri. The disease first appeared in the institution about May 400 1894, and continued until October, after which no fresh cases occurred. There was no outbreak in 1895, but it reappeared in August 1896, since when the institution has not been entirely free from it, although it almost died out in the colder months. Ten nurses in all have suffered from it, viz., seven in 1896, and three during the present year. Medical experts are of opinion that the disease was fostered by overcrowding. It is the duty of the Board of Control to provide such accommodation as is necessary in the district asylums in Ireland. In consequence of the rapid increase of lunacy in the Richmond district, it was decided in 1892 to build an additional asylum for 1,200 patients at Portrane, and that work is now in progress. In 1893 and 1894 temporary buildings were erected at Richmond Asylum for 298 patients, and since then accommodation has been provided for 224 patients, and further buildings are now being erected, which, it is anticipated, will make the total accommodation sufficient for the number at present in the asylum. The Board of Control are anxious to aid and promote by every means in their power any reforms necessary for the improvement of the Richmond Asylum, and works are being carried out with the view of effecting that object.