No. 9417—Q 52, dated Bangalore, the 30th January 1878.
From—Major R. A. COLE, Offg. Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of
Mysore.
To—The Offg. Secretary to the Government of India, Home Dept.
WITH reference to the Resolution of the Government of India
No. 1—136, dated 5th March 1875, on Dr. Carter's report on
leprosy in Norway and its identity with the leprosy of India, in which
it was requested that a concise summary of all the facts collected on
the distribution and causation of the disease in this Province might he
submitted, I am now directed to forward, for the information of the
Government of India, copy of a report by the Officer in charge of the
Deputy Surgeon General's Office and Surgeon attached to this
Commission on the prevalence of the disease in the Province, from
which it will be observed that the results of the enquiries instituted
are not quite satisfactory, and have not produced, as stated by Dr.
Henderson, " any very valuable contributions to the already known
records of the disease". But to avoid any further delay, which the
Chief Commissioner much regrets, the report is submitted in its
present form. The substance of all replies received from the several
revenue officers serving under this Administration has also been,
summarised by Dr. Henderson, and his remarks thereon appended.
EEPOET ON LEPEOSY.
INTRODUCTORY.—Information regarding leprosy in the Province of Mysore has
been sought from two sources : 1st, from the various Civil Surgeons heing asked to
report on, or to record their views or experience ; and, 2nd, from all the Deputy Com-
missioners and amildars and revenue officers being asked to give replies to a set
of questions circulated upon the subject.
The first, it was thought, would give the results of scientific observation
or thought, and the second, the popular views and ideas upon this disease which
unfortunately has made itself only too familiarly known and felt.
I regret to say, however, that the collected results of the information obtained
from these two sources have not produced any very valuable contributions to the
already known records of the disease. The Civil Surgeons, with the exception
of Dr. Oswald, have all declared their inability, neither from want of opportunity
or leisure, or study of the subject, to furnish anything worthy of record ; and the
contributions from the other source, as may be supposed, contained a very great
variety of opinions and vague statements.
For myself I must also plead want of any particular insight or experience*
and want of time in the days of unusual sickness, famine and distress, and can
only in this brief report give a summary of what is contained in the above papers.
These have been handed over to me by the Deputy Surgeon General proceeding
on tour, and at his request I draw up this report, and think it better to do so
and submit it at once (as it is already too long delayed) than wait for further
information. I regret that it must be imperfect and wanting in scientific
nature.
Dr. Oswald having had charge of the leper asylum in Bangalore for many
years, and had more experience in the matter than any one else, is worthy of being
heard; and, as his remarks are short and to the point, I shall transcribe them as
they stand—
DR. OSWALD'S REPORT.—"Leprosy in both its forms, tubercular and
anaesthetic, is a common disease amongst all classes of Natives in Bangalore, and,
I believe, throughout the Mysore territory generally. It appears to manifest itselif
at all ages, even in very young children, and in both sexes. I am unable to state
that it is more common in one sex than the other.
" Its progress seems slow, as there are cases in the asylum here who have been
affected with it for many years, and in whom I see little change ; but there is no
doubt that, generally speaking, it greatly abbreviates life.