§ Mr. CLARKEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a number of miners employed in East Lothian collieries have been seized with a disease diagnosed by a professor in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary as spirochaetosis, a form of poison due to the presence of rats in the workings; and that all of them were seriously ill and several have died from its effects; and what steps is he taking to deal with the disease and the cause, which has created widespread alarm in the district?
Mr. STEWARTThe Scottish Board of Health are aware that an outbreak of infective jaundice has occurred in East and Mid Lothian; that the majority of those affected are miners; that within a year there have been fourteen known cases, four of which resulted fatally. The bodies of three rats have been proved to be affected by the Spirochketosis IcteroHæmorragica. By regulations of the Board, dated 4th instant, the disease has been made notifiable in the City of Edinburgh and in East and Mid Lothian, including the Burghs in these counties. The local authorities of the areas affected have the matter under observation and the Board of Health are in communication with the Board of Agriculture and the Mines Department Inspectorate.