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"I have never seen a case of leprosy in a European, nor do I remember one in
an East Indian or Eurasian, but it seems common amongst Brahmins, Hindus,
Mussalman and Pariah, high and low, rich and poor, in those who are cleanly in
their habits as well as in those who are filthy, amongst flesh-eating as well as amongst
non-flesh-eating people. It is generally supposed to be common amongst the lower
and poorer classes (or those who keep themselves more filthy), but I am not aware
that there is any proof of this, and the belief has probably arisen from this class
seeking pecuniary relief, and so coming more under observation, and because
leprosy often entails poverty.
"Of the actual extent to which leprosy exists, I have no means of forming
an accurate opinion, and it is a question which can only be decided by calling
for statistical taluk returns from the officials.
"Leprosy does not appear to be localized in any particular district of
Mysore.
"No particular occupation or employment has been noticed by me specially
to give rise to the disease.
"The country round Bangalore is an elevated undulating comparatively tree-
less plateau, about 3,000 feet above sea-level, and equidistant from East and West
Coast (viz., about 200 miles from each). Numerous artificial reservoirs for water
are met with in all directions. The soil is principally a red porous fertile loam ;
numerous granite gneiss quarries exist. The cultivation is ' wet' under the em-
bankments of the tanks, but is chiefly what is known as e dry'. Rice and raggy
are the staple grain and food of the country. The interior of Native dwellings are,
as a rule, kept scrupulously clean with the exception of the lowest classess. Cattle
are almost always kept in the courtyard, and even inside the houses. Outside, the
drainage is very bad, and heaps of filth abound in close proximity to every house.
It is the common opinion that the disease is hereditary. I have frequently seen the
children of leprous parents become leprous also. I do not think it is contagious ;
the servants of the leper asylum have been employed in it for years, and have
never contracted the disease, aud women have lived in cohabitation with their
leprous husbands without contracting the disease. I have noticed that Natives
themselves shew no fear of contracting the disease by being in communication with
lepers, but hardly touch them as they would other people.
"The belief exists that leprosy is on the increase, but whether it is so or
not I have not the means of forming an accurate opinion.
"There is a small leper asylum in Bangalore, but it is looked upon more as
a place of refuge than a hospital for the treatment of the disease, the opinion
amongst Natives being universal that the disease is incurable.
"As a place of refuge, it is not freely resorted to, as the lepers dislike exceed-
ingly the confinement and restriction of the place.
"I have not attempted any description of the symptoms and the pathology of
the disease, as I have nothing to add to what is already known on these points;
aud as regards treatment, I may say I have never seen any benefit from any kind
of treatment. This was also the experience of my predecessors who were in charge
of the asylum for a great many years. At present the gurjun oil treatment is
being tried, but without at present much benefit apparently, and it is very much
disliked by the lepers on account of the trouble it entails on them in rubbing in.
"According to my experience the sores aud ulcers often heal up themselves
with ordicary hygenic means, and the disease becomes arrested as it were for a
time, but it usually breaks out again after a longer or shorter period."
The substance of what has been given in the replies by the revenue officers
I have summarised as follows :
SUMMARY OP INFORMATION GIVEN BY REVENUE OI-FICEBS.—Leprosy prevails
pretty generally over the whole of the Province of Mysore and to a less extent
in Coorg. In some taluks there appear to be more, and in some less, but the general
proportion is said to be one per 1,000. In the Taluks of Hassan, Closepett, and
Anekul, it is said to be very rare. In Nagar Taluk and in Munzirabad it is said not
to exist. In Kolar and Tumkur Districts the proportions are given at higher
rates than elsewhere.
The type or kind which is most prevalent is said to be " mixed", that is
presenting signs and symptoms derived from both tuberculated and anaesthetic.
Everywhere the cases are isolated, and not congregated or collected in huts or
villages by themselves. No peculiarity of soil or climate is mentioned as favouring