HC Deb 24 May 1909 vol 5 c840
Mr. JOYCE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state when the Asiatic fireman, Esmail Budlee, who died of consumption at sea, on the 3rd February last, on the steamer "Soudan," was discovered to be suffering from that disease; when the seaman was isolated from the rest of the crew; and, if I he symptoms of the disease were detected before the vessel arrived at Durban, why he was not landed at that port instead of being kept on board when the vessel left for Capetown?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. H. J. Tennant)

I am not aware of the exact dates on which Esmail Budlee was discovered to be suffering from consumption and isolated from the rest of the crew, but it appears that he was placed on the sick list on 7th January. He was under the care of the ship's surgeon, who wrote in the register of sick crew on 1st February, "The man is very ill; it is more cirrhosis of the lungs than consumption. I am feeding up on milk and eggs. It is not desirable to send him into hospital." I do not know the doctor's reasons for the treatment adopted.