PART II.] Precise Locality where Leprosy Prevails. 451 



In some respects comparisons may be instituted between Norway and Kumaon not- 

 withstanding the difference in their position geographically, and the fact that the 

 former is bounded on one side by the ocean ; for, as Bishop Heber repeatedly observes 

 in his Journal, * there are many physical features common to both ; but these need 

 not be specified on the present occasion. Norway contains about double the number 

 of lepers that Kumaon does, but the population also of the former is more than three 

 times that of the latter, so that the leprous population of Norway (12 per 10,000) is, 

 in proportion, considerably lower than that of Kumaon. 



With regard to the question whether leprosy is or is not on the increase in the 

 district under consideration, it will be seen that the number of lepers actually 

 registered in the last census was smaller than was registered in 1864. However, 

 on looking carefully over and comparing the various entries in the detailed census 

 returns for the several years, and taking into consideration the general impression 

 entertained by so many of the officials in the district whom we consulted, and 

 especially of such of the officers whose duties have constantly taken them for several 

 years past into immediate contact with the population of even the remotest villages, 

 we are of opinion that the number of lepers has not diminished to the extent which 

 the last census returns imply, so that probably the earlier censuses were more 

 exact than the last regarding this matter. The following fact appears to support 

 this view: — 



A reference to Table V on page 449 will show that in the census of 1852 the 

 number of male to female lepers was nearly as 4 to 1, whereas in the last census 

 the number of male was almost ten times that of the female lepers — a proportion 

 which seems to be farther from the truth than that yielded by the earlier census. 



On a future occasion we hope to be able to submit more precise data regarding 

 this matter ; at present our impression is, that although leprosy is probably decreasing 

 in the district, the decrease is not quite to the extent suggested by the figures. 



3. — The Geographical Distribution of Leprosy in Kurnaon . 



With the view of carrying out to the fullest extent practicable the suggestion 

 of the Army Sanitary Commission already referred to, that not only the numerical 

 data but the precise localities where leprosy prevails should be ascertained, we have 

 kept not only the records of each pargana ( = county ? ) distinct for itself for the 

 different years, but also the data regarding each patti ( = parish ? ), and every town 



* In one of these passages the Bishop remarks: "The country as we advanced became exceedinglj' 

 beautiful and romantic. It reminded me most of Norway, but had the advantage of round-topped trees 

 instead of the unwearied spear-like outline of the pine. It would have been like some parts of Wales had 

 not the hills and precipices been much higher, and the valleys, or rather dells, narrower and more savage. 

 We could seldom, from the range on which the road ran, see to the bottom of any of them, and only heard 

 the roar and rush of the river which we had left, and which the torrents, which foamed across our path 

 were hastening to join." — Bishop Reher''s Indian Journal, Vol. 1 : 1843. 



