§ 25. Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the increase of diphtheria and scarlet fever cases in London; whether he is aware that there is a shortage of beds 634 for the patients; whether he has taken any action thereon; and can he make a statement on the subject?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, Sir; and I have for some time been taking steps to get back certain London institutions on the fever establishment of the Metropolitan Asylums Board which had been lent on account of war exigencies to the military authorities. It is mainly that occupation, and the other factors named in my reply on the same subject to the lion. Member for the Rother Valley (Mr. Grundy) on 18th November, which have occasioned such pressure for civilian needs as has been felt in the last few weeks. The dimensions of the present scarlet fever epidemic are smaller, and the maximum figure is a little later in the season than in the two previous epidemics for 1907 and 1914. I am glad to say that the number of scarlet fever cases notified last week (7th to 13th December) in London show a substantial decline; and the figures for diphtheria appear to indicate that the maximum for that disease has also been passed.