HC Deb 22 July 1908 vol 193 cc91-2
MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the death of John Gallimore, 44, Hulse Street, Fenton, Staffordshire, which occurred on 19th December, 1906, was certified to be due to vaccination; whether the case has recently been inquired into by a medical inspector of the Local Government Board; whether a copy of the Report drawn up by the latter is available for the information of the House; and whether the conclusions arrived at by the medical inspector were the same as those of the public vaccinator (who performed the operation, and who attended the deceased during his fatal illness and gave the certificate), namely, that vaccination was the cause of death.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) Battersea

I am aware of this case which has recently been investigated by one of the medical inspectors of the Local Government Board. Owing to the death of the public vaccinator, the evidence which the inspector was able to obtain was incomplete, but it went to show that the lymph used was not in fault. Further it appeared that the arm had been improperly treated by the mother, and that the sanitary conditions of the dwellings were very bad. The inspector thought it probable that these circumstances must be, held responsible for the infection of the arm, to which the fatal termintion of the case was attributable. The inspector's report is a confidential document, and is only made for the information of the board.

*MR. LUPTON

If the infection of the arm was due to the insanitary condition of the dwelling will instructions be given to the public vaccinator only to vaccinate those babes who are in and will be kept in houses the sanitation of which is perfect?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I will bear my hon. friend's suggestion in mind.

MR. LUPTON

May I ask why, since the vaccine stuff is supplied by the right hon. Gentleman, there is all this secrecy with regard to these reports? Is it because they are likely to have an adverse effect on the public mind?

MR. JOHN BURNS

My hon. friend seems to ignore the fact that the child's arm had also been improperly treated by the mother. He must bear that in mind.

MR. LUPTON

Then will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that mothers shall be properly instructed how to treat arms under these circumstances?

MR. JOHN BURNS

For many years I have been doing my best in that direction.