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JOUKNAL, R.A.S, (CEYLON). 



[Vol. IX. 



tion, on the recommendation of Dr. Charsley, was entrusted to 

 Dr. Loos, then Colonial Surgeon of Jaffna. The conclusion 

 he arrived at, after a careful inquiry, was that the depopula- 

 tion was due to malarious fever and to the prevalence of an 

 inveterate skin affection, possibly associated with an heredi- 

 tary specific taint, aggravated by insanitary conditions, and 

 known in that district as the " Parangi-disease." His report 

 on this subject is well worthy of perusal. The duty entrusted 

 to him was performed in such an efficient manner that he 

 received the special thanks of the Government ; and his 

 report was submitted to the Legislative Council, printed and 

 circulated among the members of the department and others. 

 In accordance with his suggestions, new hospitals at Mullait- 

 tivu, Anuradhapura, and Vavuniya-Vilankulam were estab- 

 lished for the treatment of cases of this disease. It was, 

 however, at the special desire of Sir William Gregory that 

 more extended efforts were made during the year 1872 to 

 afford medical aid to those suffering from Parangi ; and Dr. 

 Danforth, a very efficient medical officer, educated under the 

 American missionaries, was placed at Yavunia-Yilankulam 

 to study the disease, and afford aid to sufferers. Dr. Kynsey 

 wrote a very elaborate report embodying the observations 

 and experience of all the medical officers who had opportu- 

 nities of studying this disease. He had a series of drawings 

 made illustrative of the disease in its various stages, and 

 presented it, through Government, to the Royal College of 

 Physicians, London. Dr. Kynsey's report is among the 

 Sessional Papers of the Legislative Council, and is a complete 

 history of this curious and loathsome disease. 



In 1870 a milder epidemic of cholera prevailed in the 

 Southern Province. It broke out at Kattragama during the 

 Hindu festival there, and followed the track of the returning 

 pilgrims. 



Whenever cholera is prevalent on the south coast of India, 

 it generally finds its way into the Island through the 

 medium of the immigrant coolies, who land at Mannar and 



