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its appearance or development, but most agree in saying 1 that bad or insanitary
habits of life, unwholesome food, bad water, bad air (as also moral delinquencies)
are apt to induce the disease. The majority state that men and low caste people are
more liable to it than women and high caste persons. The prevailing opinion is
that the disease is not hereditary nor contagious, nor communicable even among
people living in as close connection as husband and wife. Upon these points,
however, there is considerable variety of opinion, and ifc would seem that whatever
their beliefs may be, the practical behaviour in the matter is to avoid the society of
the leper.
There is a pretty general consensus that the disease will arise spontaneously in
a family previously non-leprous, which would seem to indicate its endemic origin.
Non-leprous persons are not considered likely to contract leprosy by living in
the midst of lepers, although some who say it is not contagious seem to think they
may, and the disease once in a family is considered ineradicable. But this is a
point upon which any one individual experience is scarcely sufficient to enable him
to form a judgment.
The disease in its usual form is said to be mild, and also it is said that lepers
live to a very fair age, and that they die chiefly from increase of the diease itself or
from resulting debility. The collateral diseases to which they are subject are said
to be phthisis, bronchitis, diseases of bowels and exhaustion of nervous system.
The disease is said to be on the decrease, and that it never attacks Europeans or
East Indians ; one or two cases of it, however, in East Indians have been mentioned
to me.
The Native races and peoples are said to be all subject to it, but that of them
the Mussai mans and Pariahs are mostly affected. It is a curious fact that in the
leper asylum at Bangalore, out of the 42 cases there at present, seven are Native
Christians. But I fancy that the conversion has generally been subsequent to the
disease, and more from the sufferers having become outcastes than from any religious
convictions.
Fish diet is generally pronounced to be conducive to the appearance of leprosy ;
but upon the subject of climate much difference of opinion exists,—some stating their
belief that cold and wet will promote it, while others equally declare against heat
and dryness.
Syphilis is considered to be in some way connected with leprosy, but how is
not stated. Lepers are generally thought to have few children, and that although
the rule is they are tainted with the disease, yet there are numerous exceptions,
especially where only one parent is affected. Here there is some inconsistency
shewn among those who have already declared it not to be hereditary. In regard
to its appearance after passing over one generation, it has been observed to do so,
but no account is given of what may be the proportion of such cases.
No registers are kept of these people, but all say that this might easily be
done.
Of Native remedies for the disease, the one most in repute is copper adminis-
tered as oxyde or sulphate in powder mixed with oil. Mercury and arsenic are
also used. Sulphur is recommended and bitter herbs, with a long list of others
whose action perhaps needs some aid from the imagination, as killing a double-
headed snake, ashes of tigers and elephants' shins, pilgrimages, vows and penances
of sorts. The diet prescribed is chiefly milk, curds and unstimulating food. There
is no leper asylum for the reception and special treatment of these people except
at Bangalore.
REMARKS.
The above is a summary of what is contained in the replies given by the
revenue officers. I would beg to record as my own opinion that the extent of the
disease is not so great as therein given. I think that under half per mille is nearer
the mark. Also that I consider it hereditary and communicable in some ways, for
instance by inoculation or by vaccination ; that it is curable in slight cases, but
incurable in its grave forms, or when it has made considerable progress. Also that
it is fostered and perhaps originated by insanitary habits of life. There can be no
doubt that it is more prevalent amongst the poor and ill-fed classes with their
dirty habits and insufficient ill-regulated ways of living.
The most noticeable fact concerning it in Mysore is its existence upon this
high plateau, its locality being mostly on the sea-coast or in the plains. This
would show its endemic origin, but from what course I cannot say. The climate