§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death from beri beri, on 10th November, 1908, of an Asiatic fireman named Meddon, a member of the crew of the "Pathan," of Rochester; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of death from this disease have occurred on this vessel?
Mr. TENNANTThe fireman Meddon died in hospital at Hong Kong five days after his discharge from the "Pathan." The cause of beri beri has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it is probable452W that bad and insufficient food may predispose to the disease. As the "Pathan" is now abroad, I am unable to ascertain whether Meddon had been medically examined or had had previous sea service, but the owners state that it is the custom of their masters to insist on medical examination and previous sea service on engaging their crews. No other death from beri beri has occurred on board this vessel.
§ Mr. HAVELOCK WILSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death at sea from heart failure of an Asiatic fireman named Ah Po, whilst serving on the steamer "Spondilus," of London; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the vessel; whether he had any previous sea service; whether the Board of Trade surveyors have satisfactorily reported upon the ventilation of the stokehold; whether he can state how much coal was required to be worked by the stokehold hands every 24 hours; and whether any previous cases of death from heart failure, heart disease, or heat stroke have occurred on this vessel?
Mr. TENNANTThe man referred to died in the Mediterranean of heart failure after an illness of eight days whilst on a voyage from Philadelphia to Madras. I am not aware whether he had been medically examined, but he appears to have had previous sea service. The Board of Trade surveyors reported favourably on the ventilation, and were of opinion that the conditions of employment were not the cause of the man's death. The daily consumption of coal was 42 tons, and there were in the stokehold 14 firemen and trimmers and three water tenders. No other death from heart failure, heart disease, or heat stroke has occurred in this vessel during the last three years.