HUMAN DISEASES 547 



intractable. Chaulmoogra oil, which has been used in India from 

 the earliest times, and its derivatives, are the principal drugs; ethyl 

 esters have been used, especially in South Africa with beneficial 

 results, and gold preparations are valuable in leprous affections 

 of the eyes, so that the dreaded blindness of leprosy can in many 

 cases be prevented or alleviated by treatment in the early stages. 

 All authorities are agreed, however, that the improvement of 

 hygiene is the essential method for the eradication of this disease. 

 It has even been found that cases in a settlement have been 

 arrested spontaneously without any treatment whatsoever as a 

 result of the better conditions of life. 



The British Empire Leprosy Relief Association has established 

 centres for treatment throughout the Empire. This body exists to 

 undertake and assist research, to assist treatment work, and carry 

 out propaganda. Its funds are largely derived from private sources, 

 and are distributed to most of the British territories in Africa, 

 particularly Uganda and Nigeria. The association deprecates the 

 compulsory segregation of lepers except in special circumstances, 

 but encourages by means of propaganda and grants the voluntary 

 segregation of infected cases and emphasizes the necessity of 

 active measures against childhood infection. It is found that limited 

 funds produce best results when devoted to special investigation 

 and to adequately organized treatment and preventive work 

 among the general population. Dr. Cochrane, formerly medical 

 secretary of the association, has carried out an extensive survey 

 of the disease in Ceylon, and considers that similar work is 

 urgently needed in Africa. It is, however, beset with great diffi- 

 culties, since the type of infection rather than the severity of lesions 

 is important. 



Another recent development is due to the Rev. P. B. Clayton. 

 A Committee of the British Empire Leprosy Relief Association 

 and Toe H has been set up, and sufficient funds gathered to train 

 and support for five years in Africa a number of volunteers. Five 

 men, later increased to seven, have been working in Nigeria since 

 1935 in close association with the medical department (Nigeria 

 1935, D.i?.). 



The value of segregating infectious cases is obvious, and organi- 

 zation to this end has been the principal measure taken against 



