The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-18

The joy and significance of Christmas have penetrated the Tar corners of the earth, but one none, perhaps, does Christnlas mean more than to the men, women and chil- dren afflicted with the perfIous scourge of leprosy, who, through the aid of the American Mission 10 Lepers, are receiving n chance at new life, new health and new hap piness. sa
 The treatment of leprosy has made strides along with advance- EYnent in other fields of medlcatfes Scientists today state that the bat tle against this dread disease is be- ing successfully waged. On n day when the blazing Indian sun was almost unbearable, a group of leper patients came to the missionary doctor, their faces wreathehh In smiles because they were enjoying prickly heat" This was proof po- sitiye that life was returning to parts of their bodies which had lost all sensation; in short. that they were being cured.
 According to outstanding auth critics. such as Dr Victor C. lieiser, President of the new Internationhl Leprosy association, chnulmoogra oil is still the most successful treat ment for leprosy. Hypodermic in- jections of this oil, given systemati- cally over n period of many months arrest the disease. and In It's early stages make the patient "symptom- free" Ten dollars supplies thls treatment to one person for two years, and Christmas gifts to tnc lepers are often made Tor this specific purpose.
 Diet, exercise, and the contented frame of mind produced by useful activity and happy surroundings are other important clements m the curative treatment. These are provided in the mission colonies and hospitals. The women sew, cook and perform the other houve- keeping duties. while the men do the gardening. weaving, tin-hmith- ing and carpentry. even learning TO build their homes. churches and schools.
 The physician in charge of the Ieper Camp at Inhambnne, Portu- puese East Africa, writes: "Even old Martha, who 'is without hands or feet, has a job assigned her. Every morning she Is carried out to the fields where her lusfy voice scares away the birds that might eat the ripenipg grain"
 Christmas is the gala occasion at these centers of relief. Dnybreat on Christmas morning in the Indian leper hospitals finds the patients ali turned cooks, busily rolling oul hundreds Of little loaves and str ring huge caudrons of goat meat and vegetables in preparation TOT the Christmas dinner. contrasLeh with their frugal daily fare, this Is a sumptuous repast. After the dinner, the patients gather in the church to sing the Christmas hymns and listen once more to the well loved story of the first Christ mas and the birthday of the one who was the lepers' first friend.
 To destitute iepers. life's ordinary necessities are iuxuries. Thus Christmas presents made to them by friends in America take an n' tensely practical form; such hf blankets, bandages. medicines, soht (a much -prized gift), sandals to protect mutiliated feet. brlgh' wooden scarfs. or perhaps n COW te provide an abundant supply or miIi' for an entire colony. Doctors and teachers bring back stories at once pathetic and hum. orous of the lepers' celebration ol the years greatest holiday. In one Mission station there was fl short age of clothing at the Christmas distribution. so that only the very old men could receive both shirl and muffier. One man was over. heard saying: "I hope l grow old soon, SO that l can have shirt too"
 A ronst OK was the Christmas gift at another colony, where ths patients have meat only two "i ihree times a year. Just as they were ready to sit down tO the long Anticipated feast, forty uDipyifaa guests homeless. hungry. ontcnrl lepers appeared nt The gate Those in the colony would not en' until they shared their little Will those outside who were g0lht through wbat they had once es' perienced.
 sascrunrdlng tl,c Children.
 Tho children of the lepefs arc mol forgotten. tilfis of dolls, pen eilA picture hooks nnd clQthlni make the day nnf0rnettably happ'