§ 76. Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the death of 19 children in Columbia recently, following their serum inoculation against diphtheria; and, seeing that there were similar cases at Baden, Austria, six deaths, Bunderberg, Queensland, 12 deaths, and Lubeck, Germany, 75 deaths, within the last few years, what action he proposes to take, if any, to prohibit similar operations being performed on children in this country?
§ Mr. GREENWOODMy attention has been called to newspaper reports of the deaths of 16 children at Medellin, Columbia, alleged to have resulted from the administration of diphtheria toxin instead of antitoxin, but I have no official information on the subject. I am advised that none of the incidents cited in the last part of the question detracts in any way from the value of the practice of the active immunisation of persons shown to be susceptible to diphtheria, when undertaken with suitable safeguards. Moreover, even if it were desirable to do so, I have no power to take the action suggested.
§ Mr. SMITHERSCan the right hon. Gentleman say how many thousands of lives have been saved by this inoculation?
§ 77. Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of Nancy Kirkpatrick, of Upminster, aged 13, who died on 6th October, 1930, following a serum inoculation against diphtheria; and, seeing that the child was quite well and strong prior to the operation, that at the coroner's inquest it was stated that the child was quite fit to receive the injection, and that she died the same day, what action, if any, does he propose to take to prohibit similar operations?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have caused inquiries to be made into this accident in private medical practice. The facts are as stated by my hon. Friend except that death occurred on the 2nd and not on the 6th October. While I much regret the fatal issue, I am advised that fatalities following the prophylactic use of 1495 diphtheria antitoxin are very rare, and that, save in the most exceptional cases of extreme susceptibility, the risk involved is negligible. As regards the last part of the question, I have no power to interfere with the discretion of medical practitioners in the treatment of their patients.
§ Mr. FREEMANWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the President of the Board of Education whether this practice is very prevalent in many schools, and what steps can be taken?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThat raises an aspect of the Public Health Services which does not arise on this question.