THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
lis LEPROSY.
TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. me to make a few observations the subject of an article which appeared in your issue of the 1st instant ? Th.! inhabitants of Balasore, or Northern Orissa. are, as would be supposed from the topographical features of the district, a fish-consuming community, and. like the Burmese (who prefer the stinking nqa pee to fresh fish) they consume fish which is in a semi-putrid state. Of this fact one is constantly reminded when driving through the station by the stench that issues from the baskets of fish in transit to the markets in the interior. Under these circumstances, according to the fish theory of leprosy, we should expect to find the disease very prevalent here. Such, however, is not the case; but on the contrary, it is very uncommon. It is seldom that a leper can he seen in the bazaars, or indeed anywhere in the district, except now and again an up-country pilgrim, who, by the way, never
Sir,?Will you kindly permit
on
eats
fish.
In the district of Bancoorah, where fish is very scarce, leprosy prevails to a very great extent, more especially amongst the members of the lowest castes, who, from their circumstances, Moreover, the dfsease is consume the smallest quantity of fish. said to be on the increase, through the supply of fish is diminish-
ing.
In England we find the converse of this a diminution:? which amount almost to a total disappearance of the disease synchronously with an increase in the fish supply. From the tenth to the sixteenth century, at a time when fish was comparatively scarce, leprosy was frightfully common; but since that time, happily for us, instances of the disease are extremely rare, though fish is more generally consumed than it was. Any deductions drawn from tbese facts would seem to imply the very reverse of the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Hutchinson. Did 1 believe that leprosy is caused by any kind of diet, I should be more inclined to adopt the diseased grain theory. But it appears to me that both theories stand refuted by the fact that the disease, comparatively rarely, if ever, arises spontaneously : that is, independently of hereditary taint, or under conditions which preclude the possibility of contagion. Any cause which conduces to a low state of vitality, whether it be bad living?not necessarily the consumption of diseased grain?unwholesome fish only, or exposure to malaria, will, no doubt, develop the disease, but xhere is good reason to believe only in those cases in which the disease has a latent existence, or is consequent on contagion. Though it may be very difficult to prove that leprosy is, under certain circumstances, communicable, still I think most medical men in India will agree with you in believing that it is so.
Yours
Balasore,
March 8th 1872.
truly,
V. Richards.
[Mat 1,
1872.
lis LEPROSY.
TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE. me to make a few observations the subject of an article which appeared in your issue of the 1st instant ? Th.! inhabitants of Balasore, or Northern Orissa. are, as would be supposed from the topographical features of the district, a fish-consuming community, and. like the Burmese (who prefer the stinking nqa pee to fresh fish) they consume fish which is in a semi-putrid state. Of this fact one is constantly reminded when driving through the station by the stench that issues from the baskets of fish in transit to the markets in the interior. Under these circumstances, according to the fish theory of leprosy, we should expect to find the disease very prevalent here. Such, however, is not the case; but on the contrary, it is very uncommon. It is seldom that a leper can he seen in the bazaars, or indeed anywhere in the district, except now and again an up-country pilgrim, who, by the way, never
Sir,?Will you kindly permit
on
eats
fish.
In the district of Bancoorah, where fish is very scarce, leprosy prevails to a very great extent, more especially amongst the members of the lowest castes, who, from their circumstances, Moreover, the dfsease is consume the smallest quantity of fish. said to be on the increase, through the supply of fish is diminish-
ing.
In England we find the converse of this a diminution:? which amount almost to a total disappearance of the disease synchronously with an increase in the fish supply. From the tenth to the sixteenth century, at a time when fish was comparatively scarce, leprosy was frightfully common; but since that time, happily for us, instances of the disease are extremely rare, though fish is more generally consumed than it was. Any deductions drawn from tbese facts would seem to imply the very reverse of the conclusions arrived at by Mr. Hutchinson. Did 1 believe that leprosy is caused by any kind of diet, I should be more inclined to adopt the diseased grain theory. But it appears to me that both theories stand refuted by the fact that the disease, comparatively rarely, if ever, arises spontaneously : that is, independently of hereditary taint, or under conditions which preclude the possibility of contagion. Any cause which conduces to a low state of vitality, whether it be bad living?not necessarily the consumption of diseased grain?unwholesome fish only, or exposure to malaria, will, no doubt, develop the disease, but xhere is good reason to believe only in those cases in which the disease has a latent existence, or is consequent on contagion. Though it may be very difficult to prove that leprosy is, under certain circumstances, communicable, still I think most medical men in India will agree with you in believing that it is so.
Yours
Balasore,
March 8th 1872.
truly,
V. Richards.
[Mat 1,
1872.
