LEPROSY, MALARIA, DYSENTERY 89 
possible, is not to be thought of here, and I often have 
four or five lepers among the other sick folk in the 
hospital. The most remarkable fact about it is that 
we have to assume that the infection passes from one 
individual to another, although no one has yet dis- 
covered how it does so, or succeeded in producing 
infection experimentally. The only drug we have at 
our disposal for fighting this disease is the so-called 
Chaulmoogra oil {oleum gynocardice) , which is obtained 
from the seed of a tree in Further India. It is expen- 
sive, and usually comes into the market adulterated. 
I obtain what I want through a retired missionary, 
Mr. Delord, a native of French Switzerland, who had 
a great deal to do with leprosy when he worked in New 
Caledonia, and can get supplies direct from a reliable 
source. Following a hint from him I administer the 
nauseous drug in a mixture of sesame and earth-nut 
oils {huile d’ arachides) , which makes it more tolerable 
for taking. Recently the administration of Chaul- 
moogra oil by subcutaneous injection has also been 
recommended. 
A real cure of leprosy is beyond our powers, but a 
great improvement in a patient’s health can be effected, 
and the disease can be reduced to a state of quiescence 
which lasts so long that it is practically equivalent to 
a cure. The attempts which have been made in recent 
years to cure the disease by means of a serum prepared 
from the bacillus that causes it, and known under the 
name of Nastin, allow us to hope that some day we shall 
be able to fight it effectively in this way. 
With swamp fever, or tropical malaria, I have, 
unfortunately, like every other doctor in the tropics, 
plenty to do. To the natives it is merely natural that 
