Leprosy.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3897, 25 June 1881, Page 2

Leprosy.

The following are the surgeons' reports : —The President, the Local Board of Health, Borough of Thames.—Sir,—ln obedience to an order from the Local Board of Health, received through Mr Mason, I, conjointly with Dr Hnxtable, visited five Chinamen living on a market garden, close by the Rob Eoy, and owned by Ah Foo, and also three Celestials living on a market garden opposite the Maori House, Parawai. Of these latter there did not exist a symptom to excite any suspicion, and moreover they were all old residents at the Thames. On arrival at Ah Foo's place we examined tho men separately; four of them we found free from all disease, but with regard to the fifth, Ah Wang, we found on his person extensive sores, which, in a white man, I should unhesitatingly pronounce to be strumous, with probably a syphiletic taint; but in regard to the case in question we must remember that leprosy is endemic to his country, that the more marked symptoms do not usually show themselves for eighteen months or two years. So at least I was given to understand by the surgeon in charge of the Leprous Hospital in Honolulu, at which establishment I devoted some time during a visit of a month's duration in 1872, and where I saw about one hundred cases. 1 remember one or two cases in particular being pointed out to me which were in their earJy stages (winch might be any time from one month to eighteen months or two years, the, disease often lasting seven years), and which cases resembled markedly in all principal features the one at issue—that is, if my memory does not jplay me false. All things considered, I am of opinion that the case should be regarded as one of, suspicion.—l have the honor to be, &c, Martin H. Payne.

Sir, —In accordance with, an order received to day, I have, in conjunction with Dr Payne, made an examination of eight Chinamen residing at Parawai. I find that those, resident at Jam Kay's gardens, opposite the Maori house, are free from any signs of disease. Of the five residing at Ah Foo's gardens, near the Rob Roy Hotel, one Ah Wang, a new arrival, is the subject of old standing strumous disease ; but, to the best of my judgment, he is not the subject of leprosy. At the same time, as there are different forms of leprosy, and as my personal experience of this disease has been limited, I believe it safer to look upon it as a suspicious case for the present. —C. H. Huxtable.—Thames, 24th June, 1881.