§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether in procurement of the vaccine lymph for public use steps are taken, and, if so, what steps, to secure that the lymph supplies when ready for issue are free from dangerous disease; and whether such steps include experimental trials on either animals or human beings?
§ Sir K. WOODThe steps required to be taken for this purpose are those prescribed by the Therapeutic Substances Regulations, 1927. Reference to those Regulations will show that the prescribed tests for purity of vaccine lymph do not include any experimental trials on animals or human beings.
2075W
§ 80. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health (1) how the carcases of calves, used in connection with the procurement of vaccine lympth, are actually disposed of;
(2) what steps are taken in respect to vaccine lymph to ensure that only healthy calves are used?
§ Sir K. WOODThe calves used at the Government lymph establishment are carefully inspected on arrival and are constantly under observation, their temperatures being frequently taken. After the production of lymph, the calves are slaughtered and examined by a veterinary expert, and only the lymph from calves certified as healthy is used for vaccination. The carcases are at the disposal of the person who supplied the calves, and those sold for food are subject to further examination by officers of the local sanitary authorities.