§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the cases of small-pox occurring in London at the present time are so mild as to be hardly distinguishable from chicken-pox, and also of the fact that certain medical men believe they are not small-pox at all but alastrim or a new disease, he will issue fresh regulations permitting medical officers of health to leave them in their own homes and not put the patients to the discomfort and the ratepayers to the expense of having them removed to the small-pox hospital.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am advised that the small-pox now prevalent in this country should not be confused with chicken-pox or some new disease; and in view of the risks to the public health which would be involved by its further spread, I am not prepared to countenance the course suggested by the hon. Member.