§ Mr. Viantasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that a case of smallpox was in a ward at Bevendean Hospital, Brighton, for 10 days before the presence of smallpox in that hospital was confirmed; and why smallpox was not suspected at the start of the illness of this person, in view of the fact that she had been in contact with a Royal Air Force officer recently home from India who had developed an illness which was subsequently found to be smallpox.
§ Mr. MarquandYes, I am aware of the facts referred to. But I understand that, while the diagnosis of smallpox even in normal circumstances may give rise to difficulty, in this particular case the officer contact himself—who had a very modified attack—had not at the time been suspected of the disease.