§ 63. Mr. BENNETTasked the Minister of Health to what extent the serum treatment of scarlet fever and the Schick test and von Behring's method of immunisation against diphtheria are being used in this country by the various local authorities?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINExact figures are not available, but the methods mentioned by my hon. Friend are being increasingly used throughout the country, and with encouraging results. I am advised that the serum treatment of scarlet fever is of value, particularly in severe cases of the disease and in the prevention of its complications. A fair number of local authorities, especially the larger ones, now provide active immunisation against diphtheria for those who wish to avail themselves of it, at child welfare centres, in schools, in residential institutions or among the nursing staffs of infectious diseases hospitals.