§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken in the Fighting Services for the immediate treatment of wounds bacterially infected or contaminated by mustard gas or similar irritant gases through enemy action; if 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-Stannard envelope method of treatment applied with success in cases, details of which have been submitted to him, the extended use of which would largely avert the need to administer penicillin, now in short supply?
§ The Prime MinisterI am informed that constant contact is maintained with up-to-date medical practice and research and the instructions on the immediate treatment of wounds are amended as necessary. These instructions are contained in various official manuals issued to medical officers and are based on up-to-date medical practice and research. Various consultants, both service and civil, keep the Service Departments informed on such questions as the most effective measures to be taken. The War Wounds Committee appointed by the Medical Research Council and the Medical Sub-Committee of the Chemical Board are the expert bodies consulted, and the three Services are fully represented on these committees. Attention was directed some time ago to the Bunyan-Stannard envelope method of treatment and arrangements were then made for the supply of envelopes to medical officers. This method is, of440W course, only one of several lines of treatment recommended.