NAIL CHANGES IN LEPROSY

THE FIRST REPORT

Abstract

(1) In the investigation of 1, 000 cases of leprosy, as dealt with in the Aiseien Leprosarium, I studied the nail changes in the patients, which I have divided into three classes, according to atrophy of nails, malformation, or inflammation of the nail-bed. 363 of 1, 000 patients showed nail changes.
(2) A larger number of these 363 cases were found in farmers. But, since in Japan most lepers are from the peasant class, I was unable to ascertain that there was any relationship between the patient's occupation and nail changes. This, however, is to be said, that those who are most apt to receive hand injuries such as farmers and laborers, are the ones in whom the nail changes are chiefly to be observed.
(3) There is no connection between nail changes and the age at which leprosy is contracted.
(4) On an average leprous changes in nails do not appear until 22 years after leprosy has been contracted in nerve cases, and 14 years afterward in nodular cases.
(5) In nodular cases a predominant number show inflammation of the nail-bed, and a smaller number of examples of malformation, while in nerve cases malformation is of more frequent occurrence than inflammation, and nail atrophy is most frequent.
(6) In macular cases there is very little occurrence of nail changes.
(Author's abstract.)