§ COLONEL LEGGE (St. George's, Hanover Square)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to a statement made by Sir Patrick Manson, in an address delivered at St. George's Hospital on 1st October, 1897, that beri-beri is very common in the Port of London, especially among the lascars, and Sidi boys who in many instances form the bulk of the crews of the large steamers trading to the East; whether he can state how many cases are treated annually at the Seamen's Hospital; and what precautions are taken to prevent the spread of the disease.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) My attention has been drawn to the statement referred to in the Question. I am informed that the number of cases of beriberi treated annually in the Seamen's Hospital in the ten years ended in 1900 averaged twenty-four. The disease is not regarded by the medical officer of the Port of London as infectious in the ordinary sense, and no special precautions are considered necessary.