(10 )
From careful investigation I bave come to the conclusion that the disease was
contracted in two ways—primarily and secondarily.
In primary attacks the disease had its origin from syphilitic disorders with an
injudicious administration of mercurials by Native quacks.
In secondary cases it has either occurred by contagion or hereditary influence.
Most of the cases examined were milkmen, washermen, weavers and Koibortos,
depending on cocoon cultivation, all of whom are to deal with dirty things for the
sustenance of their lives.
For your observation I would insert my notes on a few cases of leprosy which
might serve though an imperfect idea of the way in which it occurred.
Mookhoda Churn Gooi, a weaver-boy, aged 12 years, got the disease by here-
ditary influence. States that his mother's maternal uncle and a nephew had this
disease. This shows that the disease had made its influence after an interval of one
step. It is a case of congenital white leprosy.
2. Goopi Nath Ghose, Hindu, male, aged 35 years, milkman by profession,
attacked with leprosy since eight years. Gets blisters in the hands and feet which
become ulcerated ; states that his eldest brother had the disease, with whom he
would lie down or take his food.
3. Kataini, aged 36 years, got the disease since her 13 years' age. She is
the sister to the said Goopi Nath, and has contracted the disease in the way in
which her brother did. Her fingers and toes have become shortened and ulcerated,
and the aloe of the nose thickened and depressed.
4. Lal Chand Shome, Hindu, male, aged 25 years, labourer by profession,
states that he gets ulcers in consequence of self-formed blisters in the left arm and
hand, whereon there is no sensation. This has occurred by contagion from another
man, with whom he used to work and sleep together.
5. Bama Dhobi, washerwoman, aged 25 years, attacked with leprosy since five
years. Had syphilis before. Gets ulcers on all parts of her body, especially in
the extremities. Might have contracted the disease by washing clothes of persons
suffering from similar ailment.
6. Gopaul Morol, aged 16 years, Hindu, male, milkman by profession, has
got patches of white leprosy all over the body since the last three years ; cannot say
whether his forefathers had any such disease or not.
No. 5, dated Moishadul, the 9th March 1877.
From—Babu BAMA CHUrN CHATTErJEE, Assistant Surgeon, Euthgora
Bazaar Dispensary.
To—The Civil Surgeon of Midnapur.
IN compliance with your memorandum No. 177, dated the 5th instant, direct-
ing me to report on the spread of leprosy in this quarter of the district, as well as
on its probable cause of origin, I beg to inform you that true cases of leprosy
with hereditary taint and special peculiarities to the locality in which the people
live are wanting here. In the course of a year a very scanty number of patients,
such as four or five, attacked with ulcers simulating leprosy, are found to attend the
dispensary; in most of these cases it is found on enquiry that they suffered from
venereal disease, acute rheumatism, or from any foul ulcer, for the cure of which
they made bad use of mercurial preparations in the hands of quacks before the
leprous ulcers broke out.
In this quarter the abuse of mercury even in simple diseases tends to the
development of ulcers simulating leprosy.
No. 8, dated Chandrakona, the 27th February 1877.
From—Babu SITANATH GUpTO, Native Doctor.
To—The Civil Surgeon of Midnapur.
IN accordance to your circular memorandum No. 33, dated 15th January
1877, I have the honour to state that cases of true leprosy here are very rare.
There is only one case under my treatment. The patient states that he was attacked
with syphilis some 22 years before, and he freed himself from the disease with
the use of mercurious vapour bath. But two years after this, i e., some 20 years