§ 30 and 31. Mr. LYNCHasked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether, in the lymph used by his Department for vaccination purposes, the germs of variola are living or dead and whether the germs of cow-pox are living or dead; whether any means exist by which their relative strength may be ascertained, or by which purity of the lymph may be guaranteed, or by which any standardisation, even of the roughest kind, may be obtained; whether he has had his attention called to the researches of Dr. Criado y Aguilhar, who concludes that what is ordinarily called smallpox is due to a mixed infection and that frequently the lymph employed is richer in the germs of accompanying diseases than in those of variola; whether any scientific research is in progress in his Department which will throw light on this subject; and (2) whether, in the system of vaccination 1735 adopted by his Department any attempt is made to distinguish between the specific, germs of variola and of cow-pox; if so, whether he can state the means employed; whether, in the event of these being undistinguishable, by reason of the fact that neither has been identified, the results obtained are believed to be due to inoculation with the germs of variola or with those of cow-pox; whether, in case no discrimination in the matter is possible, vaccination with cow-pox germs is held to provide immunity against variola; whether, having regard to the advisability of establishing this technique on a scientific basis, his Department has ever carried through any series of experiments to determine the points indicated; and, if not, whether it will now do so?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)The germs of cow-pox and variola have not so far been identified; it is, therefore, impossible to give the hon. Member the comparative information he desires concerning them. The subject is constantly engaging the attention of my advisers.
§ Mr. LYNCHDoes the right hon. Gentleman observe that these questions really state the case for putting the whole matter on a sound basis?
§ Mr. BURNSThat may be a matter of opinion. The object which the hon. Member wishes to secure by his questions has been engaging attention for some time, and, as the hon. Member is probably aware, the Grocers' Company have offered a reward of £1,000 for the discovery of the germ of smallpox.