338 REPORT OF THE LEPROSY COMMISSION:
GYNOCARDIA ODORATA.
This oil has long been known in the East as a remedy
for leprosy, but it is only of late years that it has attracted
notice in Europe. Like gurjun oil it is used both internally
and externally.
Of eight answers recorded by Dr. Watt10 from medical
men who had used chaulmoogra oil in leprosy, four were
favourable, two denied that any result was obtained, while two
were neutral and expressed no opinion as to the value of the oil.
Dr. Vandyke Carter11 selected cases for treatment with
chaulmoogra oil and arranged them under as follows:-
(a) Young fairly nourished subjects with early disease.
In them the result was decidedly beneficial.
(b) Confirmed, but not disabled lepers. The effect of
the oil on these was moderately beneficial.
(c) Confirmed, disabled, or broken-down subjects. No
result was obtained in these patients.
Dr. Carter goes on to say that the longer the oil is used,
the more favourable will the result be, both in degree and
permanence. The good effect may last for three, four, or
five years after prolonged use of the oil, but the disease is
never eradicated even in the most suitable cases.
Of the first forty-seven answers received by the Commis-
sion from asylums and stations in which chaulmoogra oil had
been used, thirty reported more or less relief after the use of
the oil. In some the relief was very slight, while in others
the disease was said to be arrested. In no case was a cure
reported. From twelve stations the reports showed that there
was no effect after chaulmoogra treatment, while five answers
did not express an opinion one way or the other.
(10) Op. cit., Vol. IV, page 194.
(11) Op. cit., page 34.