HC Deb 11 February 1926 vol 191 cc1239-41
83. Mr. LANSBURY

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox have occurred in the County of Durham since the present outbreak started down to the week ending 6th February, showing the number of cases each week; how many deaths, if any, have taken place; will he give the names of the towns, districts and villages where the outbreak is most severe; and what steps he has taken to discover the cause of the outbreak and the reasons which have led so rapid a spread of the disease?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The total number of cases of small-pox which have been notified in the County of Durham from the 1st January, 1925, to the 6th February, 1926, is 1,966. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the number of cases notified each week during that period and the names of the towns and districts where the disease is most prevalent. In two instances small-pox was entered on the death certificate as one of the causes of death. Numerous visits have been paid to the affected districts by medical officers of my Department for the purpose of advising and assisting the local authorities and their officers, and their reports indicate that the outbreak may be attributed to the spread of the disease from other infected areas, and that the present prevalence is in large measure due to the neglect of vaccination and in some districts to the lack of adequate hospital accommodation.

Mr. BATEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the districts that are the worst affected are the districts where the men have been most impoverished?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

No, Sir; I do not think that is so.

Mr. BATEY

It is so.

Commander WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what percentage of these cases have been vaccinated?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I cannot answer that without notice.

Mr. LANSBURY

Is it not a fact that in the County of Durham just now, in all the districts, poverty is very prevalent, and is it not a proved fact that disease attacks people whose physique is lowered through want of food?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I think it would be very difficult to draw any safe deductions from the figures in my possession, but they certainly do not bear out the suggestion made the other night that the cessation of poor relief in a particular union was the cause of the special prevalence of disease in that union, seeing that in that particular union the prevalence of disease is considerably less than in an adjoining union, where there has been no such cessation.

Mr. LAWSON

How does the right hon. Gentleman account for the fact that in the areas where there has been most unemployment the outbreak of small-pox is most prevalent?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

Possibly there has been less vaccination there.

Following is the statement promised:

CASES OF SMALL-POX NOTIFIED IN COUNTY DURHAM.
Week ended—
1925.
24th January 1
31st January 3
7th February 2
21st February 2
28th February 1
7th March 1
14th March 2
21st March 21
28th March 2
4th April 8
11th April 8
18th April 8
25th April 6
2nd May 7
9th May 10
16th May 4
23rd May 4
30th May 3
6th June 2
13th June 4
20th June 8
27th June 11
4th July 19
11th July 43
18th July 17
25th July 20
1st August 7
8th August 18
15th August 9
22nd August 8
29th August 10
5th September 9
12th September 11
19th September 12
26th September 12
3rd October 10
10th October 11
17th October 23
24th October 29
31st October 42
7th November 37
14th November 49
21st November 46
28th November 70
5th December 80
12th December 86
19th December 119
26th December 104
1926
2nd January 98
9th January 138
16th January 139
23rd January 177
30th January 182
6th February 213

The areas where the disease is most prevalent are:—

Gateshead C.B. Easington R.D.
Blaydon U.D. Houghton-le-Spring R.D.
Chester-le-Street U.D.
Whickham U.D. Lanchester R.D.
South Shields C.B. Sunderland R.D.
Auckland R.D. Spennymoor U.D.
Chester-le-Street R.D.

Note.—No cases were notified for the weeks ended the 3rd, 10th and 17th January, and 14th February, 1925, respectively.