§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has any further news to communicate to the House respecting the spread of fever in the Arran Islands; whether he is aware that the medical inspector of health fell a victim to the malady, and was left for an entire week without a doctor until he died; whether any complaints have reached him respecting the neglect shown to this gentleman, who died through neglect in the execution of his duty; whether any medical gentleman was temporarily appointed or volunteered to look after and discharge his duties during his fever illness; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will cause an inquiry to be made into the entire matter.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe latest report from the acting medical officer of health, 1185 received on the 26th April, was to the effect that the epidemic had passed away. As regards the late medical officer of health, it appears that, although he had recovered from fever, he has since succumbed to pneumonia. I have no information as to the other matters referred to in the second paragraph. When the late medical officer fell ill the islands were temporarily placed in charge of Dr. Lyden, the medical officer of Galway No. 1 dispensary district, and a medical gentleman from Dublin has since been appointed to the vacant office. There does not appear to be any necessity for an inquiry, as suggested at the conclusion of the question.
§ MR. DUFFYWas not the Local Government Board telegraphed to several times to send down a medical man, as the local inspector of health was ill, and did not the gentleman sent, instead of going direct, spend five days in Dublin?
§ [No answer was returned.]