§ 78. Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any statement to make on the recent smallpox epidemic.
§ Miss HerbisonThe total number of patients definitely established to be suffering from smallpox was 18, of whom 6 died. The possibility of any further spread of the disease is now remote. My right 39W hon. Friend would like again to express his appreciation of the excellent work done by the public health staffs, the hospital staffs, and the general practitioners, who brought the outbreak under control and cared for the patients, and also his sympathy with the relatives of those who died.
He hopes the outbreak will serve to remind the public at large of the continuing importance of vaccination, especially in infancy when it is particularly simple and safe.
§ 79. Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many of those who died in the recent smallpox outbreak in Glasgow had been vaccinated; and if he is satisfied that sufficient precautions are taken to safeguard the staff of fever hospitals.
§ Miss HerbisonNone of the six persons who died in this outbreak had been successfully vaccinated. As regards the staffs of fever hospitals and other staffs liable to come into contact with smallpox, my right hon. Friends are reminding all hospital and other authorities of the need to ensure that vaccination is offered to all persons on recruitment to such staffs of fever hospitals and re-vaccination is offered periodically to all persons so employed.