2
Tabular Statement of the number and movements of all the Lepers Known in Norway during the
years 1856-1880 inclusive.
YEAR.
Column 1
1856
1857
1858
1859
1860
1861
1862
1863
1864
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
Total at
beginning of
year.
2
2,863
2,794
2,798
2,819
2,781
2,771
2,744
2,728
2,729
2,710
2,704
2,685
2,676
2,619
2,533
2,429
2,336
2,255
2,192
2,093
2,008
1,923
1,855
1,717
Cases.
3
242
235
249
226
246
201
189
213
200
220
185
215
167
160
153
126
122
135
123
110
90
90
39
29
DIMINUTION BOTH IN AND
OUTSIDE ASYLUMS.
Died.
4
293
225
213
253
238
212
195
202
205
213
182
211
200
230
238
205
177
183
203
187
165
139
162
150
Discharged.
5
16
4
8
9
14
12
6
9
9
10
7
7
16
13
16
.9
18
10
14
6
7
10
11
7
Cured.
6
2
2
7
2
4
4
4
1
5
3
5
6
8
3
3
5
8
5
5
2
3
9
4
7
REMAINING AT END OF
YEAR
At home.
7
2,628
2,367
2,323
2,296
2,242
2,060
2,046
l,979
1,948
1,938
1,909
1,898
1,888
1,832
1,769
1,682
1,628
1,583
1,549
1,470
1,395
1,294
1,237
1,115
965
In Asylums
8
235
427
475
523
539
711
698
749
781
772
795
787
788
787
764
747
708
672
643
623
613
629
618
602
617
Total at
end
of year.
9
2,863
2,794
2,798
2,819
2,781
2,771
2,744
2,728
2,729
2,710
2,704
2,685
2,676
2,619
2,533
2,429
2,336
2,255
2,192
2,093
2,008
1,923
1,855
1,717
1,582
Total at end of
year, by old
numeration.
10
2,113
2,060
2,082
2,095
2,068
2,096 ,
2,119
2,162
2,182
2,136
2,126
2,137
2,119
2,104
2,055
1,987
1,943
1,874
1,832
1,771
1,731
1,704
1,681
1,642
1,606
Remarks on the above Table.—The headings of
the several columns mostly explain themselves.
Only the figures in columns 4 (deaths), 5 and 6
(discharged and cured), and in column 8 (asylum-
inmates), are certain and fixed; all the other
numbers being approximate, or liable to rectifica-
tion in course of time.
A.—Decline of Leprosy.
This fundamental point is capable of being esta-
blished in various ways. Thus, according to the
enumeration in column 10, at the end of 1856 there
were known 2,113 lepers, and in 1880 only 1,606;
showing a diminution of 507 in the course of 25
years. But if (as in the adjustedlists) all overlooked
cases whose duration dated 2 or more years back be
•added in their due place, there must have been
at least 2,863 lepers (vide column 9) in 1856; and
i in the succeeding years a corresponding number
gradually declining until the latest, when the same
annual enumeration is found in both columns—
the small difference here of 24 referriug to lepers
sent to the Asylums without ever being registered
in the country districts. According to the new
reckoning, therefore, the total decline of lepers
amounts to 1,281; but this estimate probably is
nearly as excessive as the other was defective,
because no allowance is made for cases still
.remaining undetected in 1880. What the precise
decline of leprosy has been cannot indeed yet be
learnt, and strictly not until the demise of every
leper in the country will it be ascertainable :
this drawback being inherent to the exacter
methods of registration. Probably the diminu-
tion has amounted to near 1,000, or about one-
third of the total known in 185G ; and this would
be a very notable result to attain in so short a
time.
Confirmation of the opinion now expressed, is
the following :—According to the above tabular
statement the total of new cases (column 3) has
been 3,965, while the total outgoings (columns
4, 5 and 6) have amounted to 5,246, leaving a
deficiency of 1,281, which being far too consider-
able to be attributed to oversight becomes ex-
plicable only on the inference of a real decline of
disease. Again, some details of column 3 not
here shown, are, I find, very significant : thus, in
former years there were about 250 "fresh addi-
tions" annually registered, now only about 130 ;
of these upwards of 100 used to be of quite recent
origin, whilst now only 25 in the mean are "new "
cases. And although successive years might
vary, yet registration continuing at least as effici-
ent as ever, this datum becomes conclusive of real
amendment; and that in the best possible direc-
tion. So also the following :—The proportion of
"new cases" to total "fresh additions" used to
be 40 per cent., the remainder being made up of
"overlooked" cases of more or less prolonged
duration; whereas now it is only 16 per cent.:
that some overlooked cases will hereafter come
to light is inevitable, but it is of good augury
that these already form the very large majority
of fresh additions, the strictly new cases becom-
ing both relatively and absolutely smaller by
degrees, and indubitably less.
Lastly, some indirect evidence may be adduced.
Relying on the immutable figures in column 4,
I note that the mean annual deaths of lepers is
now 180 instead of 244 as formerly; whence,
on the presumption that the leprous disease has
remained unchanged, it becomes evident there
are now fewer subjects affected by it. According
to column 10, the annual death-rate has declined
from 14'2 per cent, in 1857 to 9'3 per cent, in
1880; and there being no proof or belief in
Norway (so far as I am aware) that the pest is
in character so much less severe or fatal now than