§ Mr. JOHN WARDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the death from beri beri on 1st March, 1909, of an Asiatic fireman named Balkhole, a member of the-crew of the s.s. "Merton Hall," of Liverpool; whether he is aware that this disease is attributed to insufficient and improper food; whether the seaman was medically examined before joining the ship, and how long he had served on her; whether he had any previous sea service; and whether any previous cases of death from this disease have occurred on this vessel?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe fireman, Balk-hole, died of beri beri on board the "Merton Hall" at Birkenhead. The cause of beri beri has not yet been definitely ascertained, but it is probable that bad and insufficient food may predispose to the disease. It is the practice in the line to which the "Merton Hall" belongs for the engineer to pick out from a number of men those he thinks most suitable, who are then examined by a surgeon for any physical defects. Balkhole was examined before joining the ship at Bombay by the medical inspector of seamen to the Government. He served on the ship about six months. I am informed that he would not have been rated as a fireman if he had not had previous sea service. No other death from beri beri has occurred in this vessel during the last three years.