§ 40. Mr. HARDIEasked the Minister of Health whether he can give any indication by figures as to the number of people suffering from rheumatism; and whether he contemplates establishing treatment similar to that provided for tuberculosis?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)As regards the first part of the question, I do not think it practicable to give figures for the general population, though I may say that the annual rate of attack for rheumatism of all kinds among the insured population was estimated in 1924 as 27 per 1,000. As regards the second part of the question, some progress is being made in the larger cities towards the provision of treatment for patients of certain classes, especially children, suffering from acute and sub-acute rheumatism. Such schemes are being carefully watched by my officers, but as at present advised, my right hon. Friend would not feel justified on public health grounds in contemplating treatment of rheumatism by means of a general scheme on the lines of that adopted for tuberculosis.
§ Mr. HARDIEAre the Department looking to the source of this rheumatism? Are they trying to separate cases due to cold and damp dwellings and cases arising from wrong feeding?
§ Sir K. WOODI will make inquiries about that.