§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Dennis Hillier, of 220, Canterbury Road, Leyton, E.10, aged II years, developed a rare form of encephalitis after inoculation against diphtheria; that this boy was perfectly healthy until his first inoculation on 7th July, 1942; whether the symptoms of encephalitis that caused his death some six weeks later began to develop after the second inoculation on nth August, 1942; how long he remained paralysed; and why this boy's death was not attributed to anti-diphtheria inoculation, in view of the absence of any other cause of the virus that caused his death?
§ Mr. E. BrownI am aware of the facts mentioned in the first three- parts of the Question, and I am informed that there was a varying state of paralysis during the six weeks before the boy died. Responsibility for ascertaining and certifying the cause of a death is not mine. My information is that the coroner, with post-mortem medical evidence before him, did not find that the very rare form of encephalitis to which death was attribut-636W able had any association with inoculation against diphtheria.
§ Mr. Leachasked the Minister of Health whether he has investigated the death of Ernest Eales, 70, Uplands, Coventry, aged five years, from syncope while under an anaesthetic for the opening of an abscess of the arm; whether the abscess was due to the injection of alum precipitated toxoid for immunisation against diphtheria; and whether he has considered the opinion that the severe toxic change in the myocardium that led to the syncope was caused by the injection of the toxoid into the system?
§ Mr. BrownThe case to which my hon. Friend refers has not previously been brought to my notice. I am having inquiries made and will communicate with him as soon as possible.