HC Deb 27 October 1908 vol 195 cc76-7
MR. LUPTON (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board with reference to the three cases of injury resulting from vaccination performed by Dr. Cossham of Cirencester, on which the Local Government Board medical inspector reported, if the chancres produced by vaccination were those of simulating syphilis; and if the Local Government Board will send the Reports to Mr. Jonathan Hutchinson, F.R.C.S., for his opinion.

MR. JOHN BURNS

The three cases referred to were all vaccinated with calf lymph, and I am advised that it is impossible to communicate syphilis by means of calf lymph. The medical inspector who, however, saw the children some months after the vaccination, states that the scars of the sore places bore no resemblance to chancres, and, from the date of the origin of the complication, it is clear that it was caused by accidental contamination of the sore places which took place a considerable time after vaccination had been performed. I see no sufficient reason for adopting the course suggested in the last part of the Question.

MR. LUPTON

Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman will not submit the Reports to Dr. Hutchinson, who is a great authority on syphilis?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I have nothing to add to my Answer.

MR. LUPTON

Has it not been shown that syphilis is produced by calf lymph?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I am otherwise advised.

MR. ESSEX

Has the right hon. Gentleman not received information that the locality in which this child lived was in an extremely insanitary condition?

MR. JOHN BURNS

Yes, I stated that last week.

MR. LUPTON

And has the right hon. Gentleman asked the vaccinator not to vaccinate cases in insanitary neighbourhoods or dwellings?

*SIR W. J. COLLINS

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to the original source of Government calf lymph?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I have nothing to add to the interesting correspondence I had with my hon. friend last year on this subject.

*SIR W. J. COLLINS

That was rather negative.