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The cause of leprosy may, I think, be hereditary or acquired, and syphilis
and scrofula appear to be the diseases which, in the parent, most frequently lead to
the development of leprosy in the child. Notwithstanding Dr. Carter's adverse
opinion, the number of cases which have a syphilitic family history afford a very
strong presumption that there is a connection between the two diseases.
The people of this country feed principally on rice, vegetable, curries and fish,
and in the cold weather dahee (curdled milk) is occasionally used, but from necessity,
not from prejudice. Except in the case of the cow, they are not a flesh-eating
people. In the South of the State, however, I am informed that the Muhammadans
who live near the border eat any cattle that may happen to die from disease or
otherwise. This is interesting, for leprosy is much, more common amongst them
in that part than in their neighbours the Hindus.
The rice which is eaten by the lower classes is of inferior quality, which has
been gathered only three or four months, and is therefore highly unwholesome and
indigestible, and but little care is taken to remove the whole of the outer husk.
How far this is a cause of leprosy I am unable to say. I do not think that much
mouldy or decayed rice is eaten, though a case of gangrene of the extremities a
few months ago was apparently due to this cause. Dall, on account of its price,
is not eaten by the people generally, and cannot therefore be looked upon as a
possible cause of disease. I am not able to discover that leprosy is less prevalent
amongst the residents on the banks of the larger rivers, who drink the pure snow
waters of the Himalayas, than with those who obtain their supplies from the
nearest jheel.
With regard to its distribution. It appears to be more common in the South,
than in the North of the State ; more often met with on the borders than in the
interior ; more frequent amongst Muhammadans than Hindus ; amongst men,
than women and children ; and amongst the poor and badly-fed, than with the rich
and well-to-do.
There are one or two places in the State of very bad repute for this disease,
notably a village in the South, which is occupied by the Muhammadans before refer-
red to, and another village towards the North, which I intend to visit, as well as
other neighbourhoods where the disease is prevalent, and in which I hope to find
an opportunity of better observation of the disease and the materials for a more
interesting report.
Memorandum No. 217, dated Dinapore, the 6th November 1877.
[His No. 3017, dated 31st October 1877.]
THE undersigned having no experience regarding the prevalence of leprosy
in this district, and no data on which to base a report, is unable to supply one.
Dr. C. Macnamara, who gave some attention to this subject some years ago, sent
in a report, but no copy can be found in the Office. He would willingly send in a
return shewing the number of cases treated in the dispensaries, but finds that all
varieties are entered under one head, and have not been distinguished separately, so
that such a return would be useless. Dr. Gayer, he believes, has previously reported
to similar effect.
C. J. JACKSON, M. D.
Civil Surgeon, Mozufferpur.
To the Deputy Surgeon General, Dinapore.
No. 408, dated Hazaribagh, the 3rd November 1877.
From—Dr. EDWARD A. BIRCH, Civil Surgeon, Hazaribagh,
To—The Deputy Surgeon General, Dinapore Circle.
IN reply to No. 4770 A, dated October 1877, from the Secretary to the Sur-
geon General, I have the honour to say that I submitted a report last year upon
the subject of leprosy, the receipt of which is acknowledged in letter No. 3797
of 5th December 1876, from Under Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Judi-
cial Department, to the address of the Surgeon General.
I have since made many inquiries, but I have been unable to obtain any addi-
tional information on the subject.
Leprosy is rare in this district, particularly rare, I believe. I myself have
seen but very few cases since I have filled my present office, and these few were
pilgrims to or from Juggurnath. At this moment I am not aware that a single