An analysis of 118 cases of leprosy in the Tarntaran Asylum (Punjab), and On the arrest and cure of leprosy by the external and internal use of the gurjun and chaulmoogra oils / by J.C. Phillippo ; communicated to the Epidemiological Society of London, January 8, 1890, by Phineas S. Abraham.

  • Abraham, P. S. (Phineas Simon), 1847-1921.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An analysis of 118 cases of leprosy in the Tarntaran Asylum (Punjab), and On the arrest and cure of leprosy by the external and internal use of the gurjun and chaulmoogra oils / by J.C. Phillippo ; communicated to the Epidemiological Society of London, January 8, 1890, by Phineas S. Abraham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    liands, face, etc.—twice a day, l)athiiig before each application. Tlic washing ofl was done with sapolio. The rubliini,' was cO'ected by the patient himself, that he miglitget the benefit of the exercise. The oil was also applied as an ointment to all swellings and nlcers; and when renewing it, cashew-nut oil was first applied and allowed to dry in. A tablespoonful of the gurjun oil, prepared with a smaller proportion of lime- water, was taken internally morning and evening. For an hour or two after rubbing in tlie oil the feeling was uncom- fortable, and there was a pricking, warm sensation all over the body. In consequence of the dilliculty of obtaining the oil at first, and of the frequent attacks of fever, sometimes lasting several weeks, it was impossible to rub it in continu- ously. It was, however, always used as an ointment. From ISSO the fever was accompanied by outbursts of bumps and eru]itions on the fingers, toes, legs, and even face, and these would discharge plentifully, like the older enlargements, which became gradually smaller, and disappeared. The worst time was the latter part of 1880 until late in 1881. He was then veiy weak and nervous, and could not use the legs, or even stand upon them. To go from one room to another he had to sit on the lloor and proceed with the help of hands and arms. He sometimes had pains in the knees. Attacks of fever and eruption were frequent. The nails were all gone, some of them leaving minute bits: the hairs on legs, arms, etc., and on the eyebrows were gone. In 1881, chaulmoogra oil was substituted for the gurjun internally, but the rubbings with the latter were continued. Improve- ment was first seen in the face ; the lips, ears, and nose gradually becoming natural before the end of 1881. The spots about the body also began to disappear, and the hands were getting better: the left foot, and especially the gi'eat toe, was the last to yield. The outbursts continued even after the old enlargements had disapjieared, but were less severe each time, until they ceased. From 1SS2 the gurjun oil was rubbed in oidy once a day. The treatment was kept up, with some intermissions, until January 1886, when, at last, he ceased to live in grease. He was at that time cured, all symptoms having disappeared, and having re- gained the use of his limbs, and discarded the crutches, with whieli he had been able to get about since 1884. For upwards of five years he has now been quite free from any velum of the old troubles : his strength has steadily increased, and general health improved ; and although there are marks left of tlie old disease, the nails and hairs have been coming back ; even the eyebrows have been slowly gi'owing.