§ MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that during the season of 1903–4, 2,748,638 persons were vaccinated in Bengal, and that of that number 2,066,716 were vaccinated with human lymph; that in the Bombay Presidency human lymph continues to be used for vaccination in the majority of cases; that the use of human lymph in India is liable to propagate leprosy, a disease that is on the increase; and whether, in view of the liability of propagating other bad diseases, and of the fact that, owing to the heat of the climate, glycerinated calf lymph does not keep well, he will put a stop to this system of 607 vaccination, seeing that the re-vaccinated British troops are not exempt from smallpox.
§ THE UNDERSECRETARY FOR INDIA (Mr. John ELLIS,) Nottinghamshire, RushcliffeBengal and Bombay for special causes are behind other parts of India in introducing calf lymph, but both provinces are endeavouring to extend its use, and thereby reduce the risk of communicating disease. The method of preserving calf lymph in India in an aseptic form has of late years been improved, and the preparations now made are reported to withstand the climate. In the meantime the Secretary of State cannot undertake to stop the present system of vaccination.
§ MR. LUPTONasked if it were not the fact that smallpox in India was not diminished by vaccination and——
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member is endeavouring to get in a speech.