§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary whether there are some cases of the disease known as beri-beri at present under treatment in the isolation hospital, Galway; if he will state the number affected with the disease; the numerical strength of the nursing staff, and what provision has been made for their accommodation; whether one of the patients became delirious, and at the time he became so affected if there was any male attendant in the hospital, or how he was controlled; whether the hospital is at times partly surrounded by water, and what means of ingress or egress there is to it from the mainland; and if any precautions have been taken to provide male attendants in the event of any of the other patients becoming delirious?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere are at present four patients from a Norwegian ship under 1393 treatment in the intercepting hospital at Galway, three of whom are undoubtedly suffering from beri-beri, whilst the other is under observation. The Local Government Board understand that the patients are in a well-ventilated ward in every way suitable for their treatment, and are under the charge of three qualified nurses, who occupy another ward and have the use of the kitchen. One patient became suddenly delirious and violent, but was got under control by the nurses, and had become quiet before the medical officer arrived. The latter has since procured the assistance of two male attendants, one of whom will at all times be on duty, and the other easily available. The hospital is built on the mainland, with the sea on two sides, and is accessible by foot, car, or boat.