Distribution of Leprosy.                          113
area, and his mode of living does not in the least change after
he enlists. In contrasting statistics, great caution must be
exercised as to equality of the concomitant variations, a diffi-
culty which has confronted the Commissioners over the length
and breadth of this chapter.
There are in India no favoured races which are exempt
from the disease, and it can only be want of experience which
prompted one observer to remark: "I have never seen or
heard of a case of leprosy in a pure European."38 And it
seems assuming too much that the fact of an Eurasian suffer-
ing should be explained as an inheritance through the native
stock.39
It is difficult to estimate to what extent the various races
suffer. Arguing from general impressions, as accurate statis-
tics are not obtainable, it would appear that the native element
is undoubtedly more prone to the disease, and the unmixed
European least; but accurate figures cannot be given. The
difference, however, may well depend on the inequality of social
rather than racial conditions, the native ranking lowest in
such a scale, while the Eurasian occupies an intermediate level.
The Commissioners are therefore of opinion that, per se, no
one race is more liable to contract leprosy, and that given
equal and favourable conditions, all will be affected alike.
These few words must suffice on this subject.
Leprosy in Relation to Religion and Caste.
I. -Examined by religion the Kabirpanthis show the highest
proportion for 1881. The Buddhists show very high leper
ratios throughout, the Aboriginals, on the other hand, low ones.
The proportion for each religion is best stated in tabular
form.
(38) A Medical Report upon the Character and Progress of Leprosy. Royal
College of Physicians, page 118.
(39) C. N. Macnamara. Leprosy: A Communicable Disease. London. 1889,
page 20.