HC Deb 11 March 1937 vol 321 cc1333-4
53 Mr. Rathbone

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether anything is yet known about the origins or causes of Buerger's disease;

(2) whether anything is yet known about the origins or causes of thromboangitis obliterans;

(3) whether Buerger's disease and /or thromboangitis obliterans are more prevalent among persons who have spent part of their life in a hot climate than among those who have not?

Sir K. Wood

I am advised that little is known as to the cause of the disease or its prevalence amongst persons who have lived in hot climates, but I will send my hon. Friend a reference to recent articles on the disease which have appeared in the Medical Press.

Mr. Rathbone

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply may I ask whether any fairly intensive research is being made into either of these diseases, as one of them appears to be prevalent among troops returning from abroad?

Sir K. Wood

Some inquiries have been made, and perhaps my hon. Friend will get some comfort from the fact that it is known that the disease mainly affects the lower extremities and only later the upper extremities.

Mr. Thurtle

Is there any evidence that the Liberal party is suffering from the disease mentioned in Question 54?

Mr. Ammon

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us what the disease is and what is its nature?

Sir K. Wood

I would prefer to confer with my hon. Friend on the matter.