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ago, a variety of eruptions appeared on the dorsal surface of the right hand ; this
was accompanied with local anæesthesia of the part. The eruptions healed
with the local use of some Native oil, but the anæsthesia still exists. Six months
subsequent to this surrul ulcers appeared on the ends of fingers and toes, and
symptoms of true leprosy began to appear gradually. On enquiry I came to know
that besides this there are two other cases here at Chandrakona ; they all appear
to be of syphilitic origin.
From—Babu MODHOO MADHUB MOOKERJEE, Native Doctor, Charitable
Dispensary, Contai.
To—The Civil Surgeon of Midnapur.
REFERENCE with your memorandum No. 175 of 5th instant, I have the honour
to report about lepra as following : The lepra is a disease of the skin ; it has two
forms, tuberculated and non-tuberculated, the latter is the usual case in Bengal. As
far as my knowledge goes, this disease is neither contagious nor infectious, it is rather
hereditary. If it be contagious or infectious, then it would have occurred
among all the prisoners in the jail, as I have seen several cases of lepra patients
in the Hooghly and Hazaribagh Jails where they live with other healthy
prisoners. Some say the cause of the disease is uncleanliness and dirty, but I am not
of that opinion. It is very difficult to relate the detailed description of the disease
for me whose knowledge is limited, and who is serving under for few months. The
gurjun oil treatment is the best for this disease. This oil can be used both
externally and internally mixed with lime water.
No. 6, dated Tumlook, the 20th February 1877.
From—Babu HARADHON NAG, Native Doctor.
To—The Civil Surgeon of Midnapur.
WITH reference to your circular memorandum No, 33, dated the 15th January
1877, in continuation of circular memorandum No. 134, dated the 20th December
1876, of the Officiating Secretary to the Surgeon General, India, Medical Depart-
ment, I have the honour to inform you that leprosy exists in Tumlook Sub-Division
in a very small extent according to my experience of the last year during which I had
treated only fourteen patients labouring under leprosy, who were inhabitants of
different villages. Among them two persons seemed to have got the disease from
contagion, seven persons from hereditary taint, and five persons from other unknown
causes.
No. 8, dated Gurbetta, the 1st March 1877.
From—Babu PROSUNNO COOMAr SEIN, Native Doctor.
To—The Civil Surgeon of Midnapur.
WITH reference to your memorandum No. 33, tated the 15th January last, I
have the honour to submit the following information :
In spite of my continual exertions for last few days I could not gather any
particular information as to the extent to which leprosy exists among the people
of this thannah j but so far I am certain that this disease is prevalent to a certain
extent among the people of the village of Gurbetta. The cause is I think—this
place is comparatively crowded, and as the pilgrim road passes through it, it is
the haunt of the persons from the different parts of India who bring with them
the contagion of many sorts of diseases. After my taking charge of this dispensary
I have treated 20 lepers. To some of them this disease was hereditary, to some
it was owing to the contagion, and to others it was the effect of using mercurial
medicines.