HC Deb 21 July 1910 vol 19 cc1423-5
Mr. CHANCELLOR

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he would instruct the new Commission appointed for the purpose of investigating the origin of Mediterranean fever to reconsider the question from a sanitary and statistical standpoint, in relation to the military, naval, and civil populations, respectively, especial regard being paid to the sudden decline of the disease in the Army six months prior to the prohibition of goats' milk, the gradual decline in the Navy since the dredging operations of the Grand Harbour were commenced and the stoppage of sewage deposit therein, the uniformly lower rate of attack among the civil population compared with the military and naval populations, and the greatly decreased incidence among the civil population in those portions of the island of Malta where extensive sanitary improvements had been recently effected; would he see his way to appoint upon that Commission at least one medical gentleman from this country holding broad sanitary views who might assist the Commission in determining factors other than those of a bacteriological nature; and would he be prepared to add the name of Dr. P. P. Agius, B.A., M.D., Ph.D., of Malta, in view of his scientific attainments, to those of the members of the Commission?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)

It is not proposed that the new Commission shall concern itself with any other question than the manner in which goats become infected, which is the only matter in connection with the causation of Malta fever which remains obscure. The elected members of the Council of Government are only prepared to concur in the appointment of the committee on the condition that this question is made the special object of their inquiry. The Secretary of State has agreed to the proposal of the elected members that they should be allowed to nominate an independent local practitioner to be a member of the Commission. It is not yet known whom they will choose.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Do I understand that the inquiry will consist of experiments on animals for the purpose of curing a disease from which they do not suffer?

Colonel SEELY

That rather prejudges the question. Of course, the inquiry will not be confined to experiments on animals. The question is how far and how they become affected, and that is a very proper subject of inquiry.

Sir J. RANDLES

Is the right hon. Gentleman quite satisfied that the insanitary conditions which prevailed at Malta had not a great deal to do with this fever?

Colonel SEELY

It is rather difficult to discuss this highly technical matter by means of question and answer. Of course, every sanitary improvement tends to reduce disease. Speaking for myself, having inquired into the matter as much as I can, I think there is no doubt whatever; that goats' milk was the principal cause is proved without a shadow of doubt.

Mr. GREENWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that what appears to be a perfectly adequate case has been made out against their being any connection whatever between goats' milk and Malta fever? Will he not institute an independent inquiry into the matter?

Colonel SEELY

This is a matter of opinion; but I think myself—and I can speak only for myself—that the reply I gave about ten days ago, showing the enormous reduction in Malta fever since measures were taken on the assumption that it was caused by goats' milk, is a conclusive proof.

Lord C. BERESFORD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that after goats' milk was entirely stopped in the Naval Hospital the entries for fever were reduced from thirty to one per month, and eventually to none?

Colonel SEELY

I could not charge my memory with the precise facts, but what the Noble Lord says represents more or less the facts. The figures with regard to the Army were even more startling.

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the reduction had begun long before?

Colonel SEELY

I cannot bear in mind the exact dates, but I am afraid that that is not so.