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In Assam the disease is much less frequently met with than formerly, and
this decrease is considered to be synchronous with increased prosperity.
SIBSAGAE.—M. Mookerjee, Civil Surgeon, reports the treatment of twelve cases.
Three of these ceased to attend after the lapse of a few days, and their subsequent
history could not be traced. In the remaining nine cases treatment was continued
for periods varying from three months to about a year ; very great improvement,
if not complete recovery, is stated to have occurred in each case. The subjects were
males, and, though no change was made in diet, the oil was used precisely in accord-
ance with Dr. Dougall's instructions. The cases were in an advanced stage of
the anæsthetic and tubercular forms of the disease. Under treatment the sores
healed and were covered with a cicatrix ; tubercular elevations nearly subsided ;
swelling and thickness of skin abated ; sensation generally returned, and patches
of discolouration faded. The tubercular form seemed more amenable to treatment
than the anæsthetic.
The Civil Surgeon considers the remedy to be "the best he has ever employed",
that its persistent and systematic use proves beneficial in even the worst forms
of the disease, and that it certainly arrests the progress of every form of leprosy.
He is, however, unable to express a definite opinion from his limited ex-
perience whether it entirely eradicates the lepraic taint from the system. The
diseased appear to have confidence in the remedy.
Leprosy is stated to be common in the Sibsagar District, chiefly among
males ; it is not confined to any particular locality or race ; is more common in
youth and middle age, especially when accompanied by poverty. It seldom occurs
in infancy or old age, and proof of hereditary transmission was only obtainable
in about one-third of the cases. Conditions of life tending to impoverish the blood
or impair the vital powers, such as poverty, improper diet, impure air and
uncleanly habits, exposure and privations, even found to be predisposing and
accelerating causes of the disease.
TEZPUK.—Dr. Imthum reports the successful treatment of four cases.
No. 1. Leprous ulcers of right cheek and wing of nose of long standing.
Cured in less than three months.
No. 2. A villager, the majority of whose fingers and toes had been mutilated
by tubercular leprosy. Was discharged cured in two months and
twelve days.
No. 3. A labourer admitted with extensive ulcers of which healed rapidly.
Was discharged cured in two months.
NOWGONG.—The disease is not prevalent in this district. The Civil Surgeon
has not seen on an average more than one case annually. A case came under
treatment, but the gurjun oil treatment was not followed by any improvement.
He considers poverty and diet to be exciting causes of the disease.
GAUHATI.—Leprosy is not frequently met with. The Civil Surgeon could not
induce any of the few lepers met with to undergo prolonged treatment. These
cases were admitted for other diseases, and as soon as they obtained relief for the
latter, discontinued attendance. Patients, he states, object strongly to the conti-
nuous inunction enforced as necessary to the plan of treatment. These cases
occurred amongst wandering beggars or afflicted coolies, discharged in consequence
from tea gardens.
SHILLONG.—Leprosy is almost unknown on the Khasi Hills. The Civil
Surgeon during a residence of three years has met with only two or three cases,
and these occurred amongst travellers who would not submit to treatment.
GOALPARA.—Dr. Slane reports that he has personally tried the remedy on
only one occasion, and that the result was unsatisfactory. The disease in this case
was of six years' duration, and situated about the soles of the feet and
roots of the nails. The skin of the face was also glazed and tuberculated.
Two cases were treated in the Lakhimpur Branch Dispensary and were returned
as relieved, but on subsequent inspection this opinion did not appear to be
substantiated. Nine_ cases were treated in the Gouripur Branch Dispensary ;
two were returned relieved, and seven ceased attending. The Civil Surgeon does
not feel justified from such limited opportunities for observation in recording
a favourable opinion. The disease is widely distributed at the foot of the Garó
Hills, particularly amongst the Garos and Ralha inhabiting the South and South-
West borders of the district ; it is also found on the North bank of the Brahma-
putra in the Dubri Sub-Division.