Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1873-06-28

Some Facts About Leprosy.
DIR. ". II. Rogers of this place, has
placed at our disposal copy Of the
Pacific Medical and Surgical journal for
June. containing, among other interest
ing information, some important infor.
nation in relation to leprosy, written by
DIR. A. c. Buffum, for several years a
practicing physician at Honolulu, and
read before the San Francisco Medical
Society. DR.. Buffum says:
Although this disease has not been
positively known to have existed at the
Islands beyond few years, it has become
quite prevalent and is believed by some
to have existed there a long time. Not
having been noticed until after the
Chinese coolies were introduced, it was
believed by many to have been brought
there by them; and much research has
been made in that direction. A. China
man with the Asiatic leprosy was i'm
ported for comparison, and it was soon
found to be quite different disease.
The Chinaman's disease was OF a scaly
nature, commencing on the back in cir
cular rings, elevated little above the
surface like large ringworms, and er-
tending down upon the legs in rings and
patches resembling somewhat the affec-
ton known at the Islands as ''fish-skin
disease" which, by the way, is quite
prevalent among the old people that are
much about the salt water.
People afflicted with this disease often
burn themselves without knowing it;
and when large sores are formed in this
way they will declare that they knew
nothing about it, or how it happened.
As the disease progresses, slow form Of
modification sets in about the joints, and
In time will slough quite around them.
The joint Is at length completely severed
and drops of, and thus the disease works
slowly but steadily on, taking joint at
time until sometimes the fingers or
toes, or both fingers and toes all disap-
pear. Yet the person affected will not
experience any pain or seem to be the
least concerned about his condition.
Whether the disease makes its appear.
ance on the forehead, in the eyebrows.
or on the cheek bones, it in time usually
extends nearly or quite over the whole
physiognomy, and in few years the
face is so much changed that ones
friends can hardly recognize him; in
some cases the face is SO much changed
that all resemblance to human face is
extinct. On looking upon these faces
one will even compare them to that of
some wild animal. l have seen MANY
whose faces resemble that OF an old black |
lion; some SO nearly so that / was actu-
ally obliged to look at their bodies, to
satisfy myself that it was not an old lion |
that was gazing upon. From what l
have seen of the disease l am satisfied |
that it usually commences in the feet or |
hands, and in course of time attacks the
face. 1t never appears to attack any
parts but those exposed TO the heat Of
the sun, or in other words, parts that
are unprotected by clothing.
We find in the commencement of the
disease and for some time afterwards,
that the organic functions in general are
not materially changed, and the Dc rson
enjoys tolerable degree of health, with
the exception of the local affection. In
the advanced stages however, there is al
great diminution or total loss of sensi.
bility. All parts affected become insen-
sible or nearly SO; the smell and
taste are much impaired; the
sight and hearing are also affected;
and the voice is husky and hard. The
whole nervous system seems to have
been changed; not only sensation is lost
but the ambition and vital energies are
also lost The victim becomes indffer-
ent and almost unconscious of everything
around him. All he seems to desire is
enough to satisfy hunger, which by the
by, becomes a very prominent feature;
and in this condition the person affected
will continue to live, at the same time
dying by inches, until finally some of
the deep structures are attacked, and
death at last closes the scene. The dis
ease attacks both sexes and all ages,
though more frequently males of Middle
or advanced age. Little can be said pos.
itively as to the cause of this disease.
1t don't seem to be contagious, and does
not appear to be at all hereditary. Gil
mate, undoubtedly. has much influence
in propagating it; as it is confined almost
to hot climates. AS it exists more fire.
quently among the poor and destitute
than with those in more comfortable cir
cumstances, it is believed to be owing
much to the mode of living. 1t has been
observed in and about Honolulu, that
most people afflicted with the disease
live on the ground and in damp locali-
ties.
The only disease at all likely to be con-
founded with the leprosy is the secondary
or tertiary form of syphilis, and this
need not be if carefully observed, for the
disease, unlike syphilis, when it CON-
mences on the face first presents small
hard Jumps or tubercles, which gradually
and slowly soften and spread out over
the surface. This is not the case of any
form Of syphilis. Besides, the slow, dry
form of modification about the Joints
does not appear in syphilis. 1t is seri-
Gus and believe always fatal disease.
Active treatment with iodide of POTASH
UNI Internally, and the tincture Of iodine
Or nitrate of silver externally, will some
times check the progress of the disease
il used early. But no medicine has yet
been found efficient to cure the complaint
in the advanced stage .