( 41 )
(b)—Mubammadan lascar, aged 36, inhabitant of Katakhali (about 20
miles South of the town). His disease (tubercular) began twelve
years ago, and is not traceable to any hereditary or venereal taint.
He states, however, that his wife and children have contracted the
disease only recently, and that there are some more cases of leprosy
in his village.
(c)— Muhammadan ryot of this town, aged about 35; his disease is of
the anaesthetic variety, and confined to the right hand. There
is no history of any hereditary or constitutional taint.
(2.) Two cases that came under my own personal notice as prisoners in the
jail during last year, and an account of which I gave in my last
anuual medical report of the jail.
(a)—This was a case of lepra anesthetic in a Hindu labourer. The
disease was characterised by annular patches of scaly eruption like
lepra on psoriasis, and devoid of sensation in the centre of each
ring. There was also to some extent in places a thickening and
infiltration of the skin.
(b)—A Muhammadan, aged 23, in whom the tubercular form was well
exhibited ; he was a stout, powerfully built man with good
general health.
The other man (a) was a badly nourished cachectic looking individual, and
suffered frequently from diarrhœa and dysentery. In both cases the gurjun oil
treatment was perseveringly followed. In the case of (a) little or no benefit
accrued, while in (b) a marked improvement occurred. The larger tubercles
diminished much in size, and incipient tubercles not only were checked in their
development, but altogether disappeared. His general health likewise recovered
itself sufficiently to enable him to work at hard labour, I employed him in jute-
spinning for six weeks before his discharge from the jail without detriment.
No. 80, dated Rangamatee, the 19th June 1877.
From—Babu BROJONATH SHAHA, Civil Medical Officer, Chittagong Hill
Tracts.
To—The Deputy Surgeon General, Dacca Circle.
WITH reference to circular No. 15, dated llth June 1877, I have the honour
to report for your information that not a single case of leprosy has come under my
treatment in this district. I am therefore unable to furnish any report whatever on
the subject.
No. 46, dated the 7th March 1877.
From—The Civil Surgeon of Balasore.
To—The Deputy Surgeon General, Presidency Circle.
I HAVE the honour to submit the following report on leprosy called for in your
circular memorandum No. 111 of 5th January 1877.
One to 5,000 is supposed to be the proportion of lepers in this district. The
ansesthetic form of leprosy is chiefly met with.
The disease is much more prevalent amongst men than women.
I have not seen any children the subject of the disease, but believe it makes
its appearance at any time in life.
By far the larger proportion that came under observation, of which I have
a total of over 70 cases, I find the ages to be between 25 and 45.
My enquiries lead me to the belief that the disease is undoubtedly hereditary.
The diseases appear more prevalent amongst the inhabitants of the sea-coast.
In this district, Kooleegawn—a village about fifteen miles to the South-East of the
sadr station and about four miles from the sea—is reported to have a large number
of lepers. I visited the place and found eight houses affected in a total of about
300 houses. My enquiries lead me to doubt that the disease is communicable. I
could not arrive at any single instance when the disease was even supposed to be
communicated.
The belief that fishermen are mostly affected in this village is erroneous, for
of the eight houses only one belonged to the Gokha caste, others were all of distinct
castes.
L