M (1) 11
for killing many of the larvae which would otherwise survive and pollute the soil to a greater degree than is the case.
On the transmission of leprosy.- I have been asked to give my opinion as to the usual mode of transmission of leprosy in this region. In doing so it will hardly be necessary to reiterate the evidence on which it is based as this would require much space and it is available for those who may wish to study the evidence in detail for themselves. The hypothesis which seems to me to explain the geographical distribution as well as the means by which the disease is contracted is the one which supposes the infection to be conveyed by some article of food, and the particular food which is in universal demand wherever leprosy is found, is imperfectly cured or salted fish. At all times and in almost every country where leprosy occurs popular belief has associated it with the use of fish. Against this view it has been asserted that there are many races and people among whom leprosy prevails who do not eat fish because of religious scruples, or, because they live in the interior of the country and are unable to get it. This has been abundantly refuted whenever the question has been thoroughly investigated. It has been asserted of India, Ceylon, Persia, Africa, but it appears to have been a statement based on preconceived opinion.
There are few lepers to be seen in this colony because the Chinese have a dread of the disease and segregate such patients in leper villages. They believe it to be a contagious disease. As to whether leprosy is contagious the following observations seem to furnish circumstantial evidence that it is not contagious in the ordinary sense, although, it is admitted that the disease can be conveyed by means of any food which has been contaminated by the organisms.
Against the view that leprosy is a contagious disease the following arguments have been advanced by authorities on the subject and they seem to be well founded and in accordance with experience :-
1. Under the ordinary conditions of social life leprosy is not communicable by touch of the leper's skin or by breathing the leper's breath.
2. Experiments to inoculate leprosy have been made often, and, with one single and very doubtful case, they have always failed.
3. The nurses, attendants, medical men, &c., working in leper homes never take the disease in spite of prolonged and close exposure to risk.
4. In thousands of instances husbands and wives have continued to live together for years, the one a leper, the other in sound health. All observers of experience say that it is very exceptional to find both husband and wife affected together.
M (1) 11
for killing many of the larvae which would otherwise survive and pollute the soil to a greater degree than is the case.
On the transmission of leprosy.-1 have been asked to give my opinion as to the usual mode of transmission of leprosy in this region. In doing so it will hardly be necessary to reiterate the evidence on which it is based as this would require much space and it is available for those who may wish to study the evidence in detail for themselves. The hypothesis which seems to me to explain the geographical distribution as well as the means by which the disease is contracted is the one which supposes the infection to be conveyed by some article of food, and the particular food which is in universal demand wherever leprosy is found, is imperfectly cured or salted fish. At all times and in almost every country where leprosy occurs popular belief has associated in with the use of fish. Against this view it has been asserted that there are many races and people among whom leprosy prevails who do not eat fish because of religious scruples, or, because they live in the interior of the country and are unable to get it. This has been abundantly refuted whenever the question has been thoroughly investigated. It has been asserted of India, Ceylon, Persia, Africa, but it appears to have been a statement based on preconceived opinion.
There are few lepers to be seen in this colony because the Chinese have a dread of the disease and segregate such patients in leper villages. They believe it to be a contagious disease. As to whether leprosy is contagious the following observations seem to furnish circumstantial evidence that it is not contagious in the ordinary sense, although, it is admitted that the disease can be conveyed by means of any food which has been contaminated by the organisms.
Against the view that leprosy is a contagious disease the following arguments have been advanced by authorities on the subject and they seem to be well founded and in accordance with experience :-
1. Under the ordinary conditions of social life leprosy is not communicable by touch of the leper's skin or by breathing the leper's breath.
2. Experiments to inoculate leprosy have been made often, and, with one single and very doubtful case, they have always failed.
3. The nurses, attendants, medical men, &c., working in leper homes never take the disease in spite of prolong- ed and close exposure to risk.
4. In thousands of instances husbands and wives have continued to live together for years, the one a leper, the other in sound health. All observers of experience say that it is very exceptional to find both husband and wife affected together.
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