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places so many as six or seven lepers. Although, there is no doubt some large
places in Berar in which more than six or seven lepers may be found, I cannot
call any to mind in which I have seen more, and therefore conclude that there are
but few places in which more will be found.
5. It is said above that the disease is pretty equally distributed over the
Province, "which is true, but is more general in the tract of the country immediately
Souta of the Satpura Hills extending from Banar and Sainderzanna in the East,
to Janode in the West; but even in this tract, although undoubtedly leprosy is more
common than in other parts of the Province, it is not anything like present in all
villages or to an alarming extent in any.
6. The soil of this locality in which the disease is most common is trapean
and dater is near the surface, but the same may be said of other localities where the
disease is not so prevalent as here, the only difference there in it is its proximity
to the hills.
7. The conditions of the people and those under which they live are the same
as in the other parts of Berar, but it is said that they are more liable to attacks
of fever than those who live further from the hills in the plains.
8. It does not attach itself to any particular caste. People of any caste may
become lepers.
9. Sex appears to bear a marked influence on its appearance, infinitely more
males than females appearing with it, but this perhaps may be accounted for by
the females with it, and without it indeed also, being shy.
10. I have no evidence pro or con as to the contagiousness or otherwise of the
disease. My own impression is that it is not contagious.
11. And there is absolutely no evidence to show that it is a flower of syphilis,
but this is no reason why it should be said that leprosy is caused by syphilis as
hosts of people have had syphilis who never become lepers.
12. As to whether the disease is hereditary or not, the evidence, small of
course, is negative ; in some cases hereditary influence was positively denied, while
in others it was clearly traced.
13. It is a disease which generally appears after the age of 25 years, but
has been seen in some much younger, even in an infant in arms in one case.
14. The treatment, as recommended by Dr. J. Dougall from all reports,
appears to me very successful,
15. Lastly, as to what is to be done. Nothing on a large scale. All that I
would recommend is that at each dispensary three to six huts be constructed, accord-
ing to the size and requirements of the place, and lepers invited to come into them
to receive treatment. After a time when the well-to-do lepers see that the poor
lepers are relieved or cured at our dispensaries, they will gladly place themselves
under treatment.
36. According to the original instructions, I have been brief in putting down
what I have to say on the subject ; but I trust not too brief to shew the condition
of Berar as regards leprosy, and what, in niy opinion, is required for those afflicted.
IMo. 366—64, dated Amraoti, the 1st February 1876.
Endorsed by the Commissioner of the Hyderabad Districts.
FOIVWAEDED to the 1st Assistant Resident with reference to his endorsement
No, 1809, dated 25th March 1875.
2. With regard to the arrangement proposed by the Sanitary Commissioner
in his 15th paragraph, the Commissioner thinks that it would be better if the pauper
lepers were to be treated at the head quarter station, where the Civil Surgeon
himself could superintend the treatment.