116 REPORT OF THE LEPROSY COMMISSION:
Central Provinces, though they undoubtedly exist also in other
parts of India, as Benares, Bengal, and as far as the Deccan.
They do not touch any spirituous liquors or flesh. In their
social relations, habits, and superstition they differ but slightly
from the Satnamis.43
The Sikhs, who have less lepers in their ranks than any
other religious body, are found mainly in the Punjab, the only
instance in which they appear in any strength outside the
Punjab being in the adjacent province of Sind. But they
are met with scattered about in small groups all over Hin-
dustan and in some parts of the Deccan. Although composed
of different ethnic elements they form a race with as marked
features as any other in the Peninsula.44 They have preserved
their ancient talent for war, and they supply a contingent of
picked men to the Anglo-Indian army. They are altogether
perhaps the manliest and finest set of men in the empire.
Tobacco smoking is strictly prohibited, but they do not abstain
from spirituous liquors and animal food, the flesh of the cow
only being a forbidden dish.
These few remarks may suffice. The Sikhs and Jains are
undoubtedly most exempt from leprosy, and the Parsis approach
them closely in this respect. These three bodies are more
or less select, the Sikhs representing the physically finest class
of men, while the Jains and Parsis stand commercially highest,
and belong to the wealthier portion of the community. The
healthy life of the Satnamis has been alluded to. Excluding
the Aboriginals, leprosy is least found in these four sections,
and this may perhaps be explained by their social or physical
superiority. That, however, an abstinence from animal food
by no means prevents a diffusion of leprosy is well illustrated
by the Kabirpanthis. Among the Buddhists and Nats much
leprosy is found, but it is well known that the social and
personal conditions of the Burmans are low, and in many parts
(13) Imperial Census Report for 1881, pages 45 to 48.
(44) Barth: The Religions of India.