HC Deb 21 September 1943 vol 392 cc42-3W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health what steps are being taken in dealing with casualties occurring in Civil Defence units for the immediate treatment of wounds bacterially infected or contaminated by mustard gas or similar gases through enemy action; whether he will name the personnel of any expert body which has been consulted as to the most effective measures to be taken; what instructions have been issued to the medical staff who will be first called upon to deal with such cases; and whether attention has been directed to the Bunyan-Standard envelope method of treatment employed with success in cases, details of which have been submitted to him, the use of which would largely avert the necessity of administering penicillin, now in short supply?

Mr. E. Brown

Casualties occurring in Civil Defence units are treated in the same way as casualties in the rest of the civilian population, at first aid posts and hospitals included in the Emergency Medical Services, which are staffed by experienced surgeons equipped with the latest methods for the treatment of wounds bacterially infected or contaminated by mustard gas or similar gases. In making these arrangements my officers have consulted the Ministry's consultant advisers, the Medical Research Council and the experts attached to the Ministry of Supply, and the numerous instructions issued to medical staffs of first aid posts and hospitals arc based on their advice. The Bunyan-Stannard envelope method of treatment is available for the use of those medical officers who wish to employ it.