§ Mr. WEBBasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to an outbreak of diphtheria at Madley, Herefordshire; whether he is aware that the medical officer of health has taken swabs from sixty or more children; that unless bacteriologically examined the disease cannot be traced; and that the Dore District Council refused to vote a sum of £8 for this purpose; and will he take any steps to substitute the district council by an official sanitary authority for the Dore area?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention has been drawn to a newspaper report of this matter, and I am in communication with the local authority in regard to it. I am advised that bacteriological examinations are a great aid in diagnosing cases of diphtheria.