§ Mr. ARNOLD WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cadets at Dartmouth have suffered from infectious illnesses during the past term; how many cadets have suffered from more than one illness; and how many cadets have contracted a second illness in the sick quarters?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe reply to the first part of the question is 242; to the second part, thirty; and to the third part, six.
§ Mr. ARNOLD WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what provisions are made at Dartmouth and Osborne for the isolation of cases of infectious illness, and particularly of early cases awaiting a definite diagnosis; whether such provisions are in accord with the most recent practice at public schools; and, if not, whether he will give instructions for the amendment of any defects in the existing system?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAt Dartmouth there are two separate blocks in the hospital containing four entirely isolated floors, each floor capable of accommodating sixteen to twenty cases. Suspected cases and cases awaiting diagnosis are isolated in small, separate rooms. At Osborne, as soon as any possibility of an infectious case comes under observation it is at once placed in one of the isolation rooms attached to the college sick quarters. If the case proves to be infectious it is transferred by ambulance at once to the infectious hospital. The isolation room is at once disinfected. At the Infectious Hospital there are four separate ward blocks, each taking about twenty patients, in which different infectious diseases can be separated. Attached to each block there is also a single isolation room which is used for observation of separate cases. I understand that these precautions are in excess of the practice which obtains in the public schools of this country.
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§ Mr. ARNOLD WARDasked the First Lord of the Admiralty who arranges the scale or diet for the cadets at Osborne and Dartmouth, and who superintends the meals; whether any officer messes with the cadets or attends during meal times; and whether any opportunity is given to the cadets to make complaints as to the quality or condition of the food?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAt Osborne the scale of diet is arranged in detail by the Fleet Paymaster each week, and is approved by the Captain. At Dartmouth the scale of diet is arranged by a Committee consisting of the Commander, the Fleet Surgeon, and the Fleet Paymaster, under the supervision of the Captain. At both colleges a lieutenant is present in the cadets' mess room during all meals, and his duty is to receive and investigate any complaint which may be made.