(43)
3. The medical subordinates of the mofussil dispensaries report as follows :
Dhenkanal, Hilt State on the West, only three cases, all males, inhabitants of the
same locality, two of them live on opposite banks of a iilthy pond. One of the
three inherited the disease from his mother. A fourth case was in a man who came
from Sumbulpur, whose grandmother suffered similarly.
Jajepur, situated in the North of the district, very few cases seen. None
admitted into hospital.
Kendrapara, East of the district, about 30 miles from the sea. Disease
more prevalent, 32 persons suffering· in the town within a circumference of three
miles. Most of them were attacked in the famine of 1866.
4. In the town of Cuttack itself there are many cases, most of them among
the poor, ill-clad and ill-fed ; some of them are very pitiable objects of distress. On
meeting such, the first thought that suggests itself is that they should be restrained
from moving about in public and not permitted to solicit alms as they
frequently do.
5. When trying the treatment of gurjun oil, I collected a few cases in the
neighbourhood of the branch dispensary for the purpose. They attended regularly
at first, but had not patience to continue. Afterwards our supply of oil ran short.
The benefit in all was manifest. The disease, however, cannot be cured by medicine
alone, patients require sufficient and suitable food, and many of them are unable
to afford this.
6. I give a brief outline of eight cases which will shew the history and result
of treatment. In six there was hereditary transmission. Of the two remaining,
one was a Muhammadan who used to work in leather, and one was a Rajput. There is
a belief that syphilis occasionally develops the disease, and that the excessive use of
mercury tends to the same effect; both would doubtless act in developing the disease
if latent or predisposing it by causing a deteriorated state of the blood and
tissues.
7. I also append a note from Babu Juggoo Mohun Roy, Deputy Magistrate
of Cuttack, who has been in Orissa since birth. He is a Native gentleman of
remarkably sound judgment. His long experience in this district makes his
remarks all the more valuable.
Brief history of eight cases of leprosy coming under observation in Cuttaek.
Heredity.
I. BHOLLANATH MISSEE, Brahmin, residing in Darga Bazaar, Cuttack ;
Mohurrir in the Judge's Office. Has had anaesthetic and tubercular leprosy for past
three vears ;: father and mother alive, but have not the disease. On his mother's side
the uncle's son, his sister and her daughter
had the disease. Patient has a son aged
eight, no symptoms of the complaint. His grandfather came from Punjab settled here.
PRESENT STATE.—Disease commenced with anæsthetic leprosy on right thigh
as a thickened and whitened patch. It spread to legs, and the other thigh
and forearm ; about a year and half after tubercles appeared on legs ; there are
now several about the extremities, slightly over back ; the ears are thickened and
tubercled over convex margins, also margins of nose, lips and chin, slightly on cheeks
and over eyebrows. Anæethesia is well marked on arterior aspect of thighs.
He cannot recognize number of points of pens touching skin at one inch apart.
Appetite bad ; bowels moved twice daily ; sleep not very sound. Tubercles over
knees are the largest size of a cherry, those on ankles are of a pea size ; on right
elbow they are little smaller than cherries, on wrist the size of peas.
TREATMENT.—September 27.—To commence with two drachms of the gurjun
oil emulsion twice a day and inunction once a day.
October.—The oil acts on his bowels slightly ; urine in the day high coloured ;
skin appears cleaner and softer.
October.—Skin softer; tubercles on face not so prominent; says he feels his
body lighter; appetite improved.
November.—Continued the oil for three months and was much benefited by it.
II. APPEE, female, aged 30, Chamar caste, makes and sells cheroots; born
in Cuttack. Has had anaesthesia in left arm for three years, there is no power to
recognize points in both forearms. Face is mottled, there are slight tubercles on
cheeks, edge of nostrils and over eyebrow. The left eyebrow thickened and swollen;
hands are glazed and slightly tubercled at finger ends. The general trunk is free