HC Deb 18 April 1923 vol 162 c2047
54. Mr. SCRYMGEOUR

asked the Minister of Health whether his medical advisers have made any report in regard to the higher fatality rate which occurred amongst vaccinated, as compared with unvaccinated, cases of smallpox in England and Wales last year?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The answer is in the negative. I may, however, say that 24 of the 27 deaths from small-pox in England and Wales last year occurred in the outbreak of virulent small-pox in London and the neighbourhood, and that in this outbreak the fatality rate was 23.7 per cent. in the case of vaccinated persons and 60 per cent. in the case of unvaccinated persons. The age of the youngest vaccinated person who died from small-pox was 43.

58. Mr. MARCH

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox were nursed at the Metropolitan Asylums Board hospital at Dartford from 1st July to 31st December, 1922; how many of the cases proved fatal; and what was the age of each patient?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Seventy-two cases of small-pox, of which 23 proved fatal, were nursed at this hospital during the period in question. I will send the hon. Member a statement giving the age of each patient.