§ 69. Mr. GRIFFITHSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, with regard to the cases of smallpox in 1918, and the two deaths regarding which the diagnosis was open to some doubt, he is aware that the medical men who diagnosed the cases have no doubt whatever but that the disease was smallpox; and whether he will give the grounds for the statement that the diagnosis was open to doubt?
§ Major ASTORIn one case the certificate of death gives the case as "doubtful 1072 variola." The other was the subject of an inquest and a verdict was given that the death was due to natural causes in accordance with medical evidence. Upon examination of the body the indications were not sufficiently conclusive to warrant a positive diagnosis, although the case was suggestive of hemorrhagic small-pox.
§ Mr. GRIFFITHSWas not this diagnosed by a medical man as small-pox?
§ Major ASTORIt is quite true that one medical man diagnosed it as the hon. Member suggests, but there was also a contrary opinion.