§ Mr. J. M. ROBERTSON (on behalf of Mr. Lupton)asked the President of the Local Government Board if he was aware that Francis Lomas, son of Herbert Lomas, of 89, Rose-street, Hanley, born on 28th August, 1908, was vaccinated on 13th January, 1909, by Dr. Clare, public vaccinator; that about a week after vaccination a rash appeared, and a large abscess formed under the arm on which it had been vaccinated; if he was aware that the child was taken by the mother, as soon as the rash appeared, to Dr. Read, and afterwards to Dr. Clare, the vaccinator; that Dr. Clare considered there was something in the lymph; that Dr. Phillips, of the Small-pox Hospital, visited the child, and his assistant lanced the abscess; if he was aware that the child suffered fearful agony and screamed continuously until it died on 8th February, 1909; and if he would stop the issue of vaccinating matter by the Local Government Board until he had secured some material which he could guarantee not to produce disastrous results of this kind?
The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Bums)My attention had not been called to this case prior to the question of my hon. Friend. I have made inquiry about it, and am informed by the public vaccinator that in his opinion the abscess was not due to vaccination, that Dr. Phillips and D; Browne, his assistant, who attended the case are of the same opinion, and that he believes Dr. Read is so too, but he is absent from home. The public vaccinator adds that 11 other children vaccinated by him. from the same lymph did well. I see no reason to interfere with the issue of lymph by the Local Government Board.