§ MR. MURNAGHAN (Tyrone, Mid)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the medical staff of the Omagh Lunatic Asylum and the inspectors of lunatic asylums attributed the late serious outbreak of typhoid fever in the 394 institution to defective sanitary arrangements; and that, on the other hand, the sanitary expert, Mr. Parry, is of opinion that the most probable and immediate cause of the epidemic was the imperfect and unsuitable arrangements for water storage, and the want of attention to the cleanliness of the water tanks; who is accountable for the condition of the water tanks; and, will he state what steps have been taken to safeguard the health of the patients, and prevent a recurrence of the state of things discovered by Mr. Parry?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe medical staff of the Omagh Lunatic Asylum and the inspectors of lunatic asylums attributed the late outbreak of epidemic disease in the institution to defective sanitary arrangements, including the water supply, to which special attention was drawn in the inspectors' report, and an analysis of the water directed to be obtained. There was no material difference between the medical opinion and that of the sanitary expert, Mr. Parry; although it is true that he dwelt specially on the unsuitable arrangements for the storage of water and the want of attention to the cleanliness of the tanks. The asylum staff, acting under directions of the Resident Medical Superintendent, is responsible for the condition of the tanks. The drainage and all the sanitary appliances have been remodelled on the most approved plans, and alterations have been made in the water tanks which will facilitate their being cleansed.