HC Deb 06 August 1942 vol 382 cc1165-6
. 16. Mr. Messer

asked the Minister of Health the relationship between the number of cases of acute primary and influenzal pneumonia notified, and the actual incidence of these conditions?

Mr. E. Brown

As there is no other reliable evidence of the incidence of pneumonia than that afforded by statutory notification I am unable to give the desired information.

Mr. Messer

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a large number of cases which are not notified, and will he devise some machinery to ensure notification?

Mr. Brown

I will look into it, but I do not think there is any reason to believe that there is any substantive failure to notify pneumonia. Indeed medical opinion is that there is rather over—than under—notification, from the standpoint that other things than can strictly be described as pneumonia are so notified.

Mr. Messer

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are more deaths recorded than notifications?

Major Lyons

Is it not time to overhaul this question of notifiable diseases altogether?

Mr. Brown

That is a different question.

17. Mr. Messer

asked the Minister of Health the number of acute, primary and influenzal pneumonia cases notified each year from 1932 to 1941, inclusive, together with the number of deaths from these conditions?

Mr. Brown

As the answer involves tabular statement, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the statement:

Cases of acute, primary and influenzal pneumonia notified in England and Wales from 1932 to 1941 and deaths from these conditions during the same period.
— Cases of acute, primary and influenzal pneumonia notified. Deaths from Pneumonia (all forms). Deaths from Influenza with pneumonic complications
1932 57,401 30,743 5,716
1933 65,009 31,259 10,744
1934 51,483 29,751 2,505
1935 46,901 27,843 3,325
1936 46,167 28,890 2,830
1937 55,896 30,331 8,910
1938 45,160 27,467 2,179
1939* 42,312 23,403 3,588
1940* 47,875 29,195 4,852
1941* 50,942 26,418 2,880
* Including non-civilians.

18. Mr. Messer

asked the Minister of Health whether there has been a fall in the death-rate from acute pneumonia since the introduction of chemotherapy in 1938, in view of the known reduction in the mortality rate in controlled series of cases from, approximately, 30 per cent. to 10 per cent.?

Mr. Brown

I am advised that, although one drug in particular used in chemotherapy has lowered the fatality rate in controlled series of cases and proved its value in certain kinds of pneumococcal infection, the complications of pneumonia are such that it would not be justifiable as yet to look for any substantial effect on mortality from the disease in all its forms.