Abstract
Central Africa presents the biggest leprosy
problem which the Empire has to face and must face.
The extent of the disease is not yet realised
nor will it be so until thorough and systematic search
be made in the villages in all the colonies. A superficial
count is so inaccurate and misleading as to be
absolutely dangerous.
Vast improvement in treatment has been made
in the last decade and if full advantage of this be taken
the final stamping out of leprosy is only a matter of time.
Supplies of the seeds of Hydnocarpus Wightiana
can now be readily procured and grow well in these tropical
possessions. In five years after planting,an adequate
supply of the drug would exist locally.
The contagiousness of leprosy is not m,Ftter of
conjecture, but of fact, and if this be realised, then a
proper combating of the scourge is only possible if some
form of segregation be used.
Compulsory segregation at present would do no
good but rather infinite harm.
Segregation must be undertaken voluntarily by
the natives, commencing firstly with villages and then
with groups of villages. The natives would consent to
do this, as they do realise the danger of the disease and
understand its spread.
