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2. The police bave been addressed independently. The Joint Magistrate has
been addressed both viva voce and by letter, and the result has been that five cases
of leprosy have been brought to me by the police and three have been discovered by
myself in the town and purlieus of Baksar.
3. I had to give karaki to the latter, as they became demonstrative and
threatened to do dharna, if not paid something.
4. I have before explained to you that I have no authority to travel outside
of Baksar Town, as that would be to invade the jurisdiction of the Civil Surgeon
of Shahabad.
5. I have taken report of the eight cases collected under the circumstances
detailed above, and will submit them if you order me to do so, but they are of
no interest, and have probably been already reported on by the Civil Surgeon of
Shahabad.
6. Circular No. 12 of the 17th April of 1875 can nowhere be found in this
Office, either among the written circulars or among those issued in a printed form ;
nor is it in the quarterly sheet for the year.
7. If you still wish me to report and give the particulars of the few cases
I have been able to collect, I beg you to send me the missing circular above
referred to.
No. 856, dated Backergunge, the 13th July 1877.
From—W. F. MURRAY, Esq., Civil Surgeon of Backergunge.
To —The Deputy Surgeon General, Dacca Circle.
IN answer to circular memorandum No. 15, dated 11th June 1877, I have
the honour to state that a considerable number of cases of leprosy exist in this
district.
Leprosy is chiefly found in the vicinity of the following villages : Bagody,
Sorikal, Matahar, Amanatgunge, Moolady, Burrisal and Rooparjur. It is not,
however, confined to these places, but scattered throughout the district.
Lepers live apart from their families. They do not take food with the other
members, neither do they cohabit with their wives. Persons who have leucoderma
are not, as a rule, subjected to these restrictions, but those afflicted with tuberculous
and ulcerating leprosy suffer most in these respects.
In some cases the disease is undoubtedly hereditary, in other cases the causes
cannot be ascertained. It is believed by the Natives to be contagious, but from my
experience this belief is not borne out by facts. When taken in the early stages,
the progress of the disease is greatly influenced by the application of gurjun oint-
ment, which certainly is most beneficial, and in many cases effects a complete cure,
It is looked on by the Native kobirajes as a specific.
No. 289, dated Jessore, the 19th March 1877.
From—R. T. WRIGHT, Esq., M. D., Civil Surgeon, Jessore.
To—The Deputy Surgeon General, Indian Medical Department, Presi-
dency Circle.
I HAVE the honour to state that in reply to my inquiries the District Superin-
tendent of Police reports 619 lepers to be found in the Jessore District.
2. The sex is not distinguished, but it appears that only 54 inherited leprosy,
while 565 had no idea of its cause.
3. They believe the disease incurable, so it is difficult to persuade them to
submit to treatment, and 20 who were treated with gurjun oil, received no
benefit.
4. I have been here so short a time that I cannot speak of this district from
my own personal knowledge, and I therefore append the opinion of my predecessor
Dr. Gregg. His letter No. 763 of 30th June 1875, and the police return for 1876,
also annexed, shew the disease to be generally diffused in the district.