LEPROSY 185 



this theory they call attention to the fact that the 

 disease is more prevalent, in certain countries, along 

 the sea-coast, where fish contributes a considerable 

 proportion of the diet of the inhabitants. The 

 influence of insanitary surroundings and uncleanly 

 habits in promoting the spread of the disease is gen- 

 erally admitted. 



The conditions among the peasantry of Norway, 

 where the disease is quite common, are stated by 

 Leloir as follows : 



" The Norwegian peasant is very dirty. The greater number 

 of the peasants have never taken a bath. They may sometimes 

 wash (once a week) the hands and face, and the feet once a 

 year, but the other parts of the body are not washed from the 

 day of their birth to that of their death. Their clothing is never 

 taken off even for the purposes of sleeping. It is generally made 

 of wool. Their garments are never washed. Dirt is allowed to 

 accumulate upon them, and when not too rotten, they are often 

 transmitted from generation to generation. They live promis- 

 cuously gathered together in a small house. . . . Dung and 

 filth are accumulated around the house amidst pools of dirty 

 water. Often pigs, poultry, and other domestic animals live with 

 the family. Almost always several persons sleep in the same bed, 

 which is nothing but a kind of wooden chest upon which are 

 thrown some sheep skins or goat skins which are scarcely ever 

 washed. If a stranger comes he shares the bed. Everybody 

 eats at the same table, from the same dish, often with a common 

 spoon, and drinks from the same vessel." 



With reference to the habits of the natives of the 

 Sandwich Islands Mr. Meyer, Superintendent of the 

 leper settlement at Molokai, says : 



