§ Mr. COSTELLOasked the Minister of Health the total number of cases of sleepy sickness (encephalitis lethargica) notified to the Ministry at the present time; how many cases have occurred during the last 12 months and what proportion of these have proved fatal; and whether, in view of the prevalence and progress of the epidemic, he will in the interest of the public consider the advisability of having some announcement made as to the best-known methods, if any, of preventing infection by this disease?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Sir P. Dawson). As regards the second part, a memorandum on this disease was issued by my Department in 1921; in which the precautions which can be taken against infection are indicated. This memorandum is about to be re-issued with such additions as recent experience affords.
§ Mr. A. T. DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been directed to the spread of the disease of sleeping sickness (encephalitis lethargica) whether special investigations are being made; and what have been the nature and results of these investigations?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYAs regards the first two parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for the Scottish Universities (Sir G. Berry) on the 22nd instant. As regards the third part, a summary of the latest results of the investigations into this disease will be published in a memorandum which is about to be re-issued by my Department and of which I will send the hon. Member a copy.