HC Deb 22 December 1925 vol 189 cc2185-6W
Captain FAIRFAX

asked the Minister of Health if he will state, in view of the figures given by his Department, which show 339 deaths from encephalitis lethargica in 1922, 531 in 1923, and 1,407 in 1924, what the figures are for 1925 up to date; and whether any measures have been taken, or are in contemplation, to prevent the increase of this fatal complaint?

Sir K. WOOD

1,157 deaths have been provisionally attributed to this disease in England and Wales during 1925, up to the end of October. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend's Department has issued several Reports and Memoranda in recent years, in which the principal facts ascertained regarding the occurrence of this disease and the manner of its spread have been set out. Efforts are being made in conjunction with the Medical Research Council to add to our knowledge of the causes of this disease and the possibilities of avoiding it.