The Spread of Leprosy. 73 



It must not be imagined that any are exempt by reason 

 of their nationality, for leprosy has frequently been 

 communicated to Europeans, as well as the other races, 

 in this colony and elsewhere. 



The Ven. Archdeacon WRIGHT, of England, who has 

 taken a great deal of interest in the subject of leprosy, 

 and has been in communication with authorities on the 

 matter in all parts of the world, has been occupying the 

 minds of the people at home by discussing in the 

 columns of the Times the question — " Leprosy : are we in 

 danger from it?" The Archdeacon has handled his sub- 

 je6l in a masterly manner, and has attra6led considerable 

 attention; and this not only in the lay press of the country, 

 since he has compelled the medical papers to take notice 

 of, and refer to, his statements with reference to the in- 

 crease of leprosy of late years in England. If the 

 discussion of such a subject is deemed worthy of consi- 

 deration by the people of England where there cannot 

 be more than about twenty or thirty cases, how im- 

 mensely more important should it be to the inhabitants 

 of British Guiana where leprosy is so rife and so largely 

 on the increase — and to such an extent of late years, that 

 it is calculated at the present time that one in every 

 two hundred and fifty persons is a leper! 



But the question may be asked : — Is leprosy so seriously 

 on the increase in Demerara? It is highly important 

 that a decided answer should be given to this question, 

 and there can, I conceive, be but the one. To the most 

 casual observer the increase must be apparent, irrespec- 

 tive of the fa£l that the asylums cannot be enlarged fast 

 enough to contain the cases that are compelled by want 

 and the rapid advance of the fell disease to seek admission 



K 



