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No. 143, dated Comilla, the 7th July 1877.
From—The Civil Surgeon of Tipperah.
To—The Deputy Surgeon General, Dacca Circle.
IN reply to your circular memorandum No. 15, dated llth June, calling for
a report of leprosy, I have the honour to state that this disease does not exist to
any extent in this district.
During the seven years I have been here only two cases of leprosy came under
my observation, which were noted in my Office No. 230, dated 23rd June
1876. I have also called upon the local Native Doctors for any information they
may possess regarding this disease, but their reply has been that they have not met
with any cases. Former medical reports also confirm my experience that leprosy
is very " uncommon in this district".
Dated Chittagong, the 14th July 1877.
From—R. D. MURRAY, Esq., M. B., Civil Surgeon of Chittagong.
To—Deputy Surgeon General, Dacca Circle.
IN reply to your circular No. 15, dated the llth June 1877, I have the
honour to submit the following report :
1. Leprosy is not common in Chittagong, not more than a dozen cases
having come under my observation during the 15 months I have been resident
here. It is very difficult to get accurate information regarding the extent to
which it prevails, and the reports I have received from the Assistant Surgeon,
who like myself is new to the place, and the Hospital Assistant at Cox's Bazaar,
are extremely vague and meagre. Since April 1st, 1876, 39 cases of leprosy have
applied for treatment at the Charitable Dispensary. Gurjun oil, with equal parts
of lime water used both internally and externally, was the treatment adopted
in all of these cases, and gave " more or less relief". None of the patients
attended sufficiently long to enable one to judge of the effects of treatment ; for
gurjun oil is decidedly a slow-acting medicine, and in cases where it does good or
effectually cures it is only after many months' assiduous use. In the Cox's
Bazaar Sub-Division leprosy would appear to be little known. The Hospital
Assistant in charge, a most painstaking, reliable and zealous officer, has scarcely
seen a case during his whole period of service there. Two doubtful cases that
came uuder his observation were apparently brought on " by venereal affection
or bad mode of livelihood". These were as likely to be cases of syphilis as leprosy.
There is no further information from that portion of the district,
2. The disease does not appear to be specially localised. It has been most
observed in the town, and usually among badìy-off ill-fed Up-country men rather
than among the aborigines, fakirs and vagrants of various sorts. Next to these
come Muhammadan ryots, then low class Hindus, and, lastly, Mughs, among
whom the affection is very rare. No age is specially exempt ; it has been observed
as early in life as 19, and as late as 60 years of age. Next to the station
itself Rangoonea in the North of the district would appear to yield the largest
number of cases ; but that is probably owing to the people of that locality having
greater facilities of communication with the town, for they can come down the
River Kurnafoolia by one tide, and after visiting the hospital can return by
the next. There is no more positive or satisfactory information on this subject
of the localisation of the disease,
3. Individual cases—
(1.) Cases treated at the dispensary since 1st April last :
(a.)—Hindu Up-country man, aged about 40, and cloth-dealer by trade.
In him the disease, which is of the tubercular variety, has advanced
to the ulcerating stage, the feet being most affected. His disease
is not traceable to any hereditary or constitutional taint, and came
on prior to his leaving his Native country.