THE EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES OF LEPROSY IN TAIWAN

Abstract

The brief history of leprosy in China:
The time of sporadic discovery and the origin of leprosy can not be traced or certified by the Chinese Medical Annuals. According to the ancient medicine, it was and now still is called "Lai (lepra) disease". From then on, owing to the demonstration of its specific symptoms and lesions, it has been called "Ma Feng" or "Ta Feng Lai" (Nodular or Neural type). In the age of Emperor Hwang Di (_??__??_2697 B. C.) leprosy cases were reportedly discovered and recorded in the Chinese Old Internal Medicine-Su Wen (_??__??__??__??__??__??_). On the Analects of Confucius, a case of leprosy (a student of Confucian) was noticed and recorded by Confucius. At a King of Tang Dynasty (_??__??_) ordered to catch venomous snakes for relieving the deformity and defacement of the lepers.
The most prevalent areas of leprosy in China is in Kwang-Tung, Fu-Kien and Taiwan, while the next prevalent area is around the cosstal provinces. In view of the above mentioned infested districts, it is possible tha leprosy found in China might be from the West Country thru the trade communications.
Speaking of Taiwan, in the sixth year of Emperor Chien Lung (_??__??__??__??_1736 A. D.), the Chang Hua Relief Hospital first admitted lepers, and later, received such patients. In 1930, the Taiwan Governor (a Japanese) was requested and convinced by a Canadian Dr. Gushe Tayler, (with the approval of the Emperor's mother of Japan) to set up a lepra hospital at the suburb of Taipei, it was named Lo-Sheng House of the Taiwan leper sanatorium with a capacity of 100 beds. It has been under expansion year after year. At present, Lo-Sheng
Leprosarium holding more than 1, 000 lepers and it is indeed Taiwan principal segregation leprosy. Beside the Happy Mount Leprosy Colony which can accommodate 60 patients operated by a Christian Society (T. L. R. A.). Leprosy is naturally a tropical chronic communicable disease. The Free China's territory is located at the sub-tropical zone where it is favorable to the existence of leprosy. It is estimated that the total number of lepers in Free China is about 9, 000. Among them, 3, 151 patients received treatment and control (at the end of December, 1962). Which is less than 0.09% in proportion with the whole population. It is especially prevalent in Southern Taiwan and Peng Hu Island.
For the purpose of strengthening the project of leprosy control, a Leprosy Control Committee has been established since 1960. For the past two years, we have developed a string of activities in leprosy control, such as establishment of workshops for the training of Doctors, Nurses and Technicians (scattered in various localities throughout Taiwan) were summoned to attend the different kind of workshops for 2-week training in leprosy education and establishment of Special Skin Clinics (Leprosy Clinics) in various localities throughout Taiwan. At present, 16 Leprosy Clinics have already been established, 9 under the directorship of the Health Center/Stations and 7 under the directorship of T. L. R. A. Establishment of two Observation Houses for the leper's baby who be isolated immediately after delivery. In the past 5 years, the general inspection and prophylactic inoculation of B. C. G. against T. B. and Lepra has been widely given to the primary school children by the Anti-T. B. Association in cooperation with Lepra Control Committee, but it's effectiveness is uncertain at present and requires future evaluation.
In order to bring leprosy in Taiwan under complete control, two mobile teams were organized which started inspection and examining people in County and Municipality in Taiwan since 1961. At present, a total number of 3, 151 lepers are under treatment and control, 2, 061 lepers were treated in the leprosy clinics and 1, 090 lepers were treated and controlled in the leprosarium.
(1) According to the knowing cases, the incidence of leprosy in Taiwan about 2.74 per 10, 000 population.