HC Deb 02 April 1935 vol 300 cc205-6W
Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health, in reference to Special Report No. 195 of the Medical Research Council, page 77, whether the Schick-testing and blood-testing of six boys at Greenwich Hospital School, suffering from diphtheria, who were Schick-tested and bled during their illness, took the usual 7 to 14 days before the Schick test could be determined; what curative measures were taken; and whether he is satisfied as to the propriety of this practice which uses patients in need of care and attention as material for experiments

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

In these cases no record was made of exact times taken, but in the great majority of cases the result can be determined in 24 hours. The boys were treated with the greatest care and attention, with rest in bed and local application to the throat, and they were all practically well in three days. With regard to the last part of the question, these tests which have been in general use throughout the world for many years, and whose practical value may be accepted, cannot be properly called experimenal.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health, with regard to the Medical Research Council's Special Report No. 195, pages 72 and 83, by whose permission and with whose 'approval case 2/29 had received six injections of toxoid and six further injections of floccules and numerous Schick tests in 16 months; and whether, if permission was given to the officials in charge to administer diphtheria prophylactics, the permission was intended to cover such a procedure?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

Permission to administer prophylactics was in all cases obtained from the boys' parents or guardians. As the report shows, case 2/29 was a most difficult and lengthy one, but it was, of course, necessary to continue the injections until immunity from diphtheria had been produced.

Mr. GROVES

asked the Minister of Health, in reference to the Medical Research Council's Special Report No. 195, whether any charge was made for the antitoxin estimations at the Greenwich Hospital School by outside commercial institutions; and whether, as this institution has a financial interest in diphtheria immunisation, it is still proposed to entrust such investigations to them?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

No charge was made for the antitoxin estimations, which were carried out gratuitously by eminent bacteriologists. At present no further estimations are contemplated.