What several diseases are to be eliminated in the diagnosis of leprosy?
Syphilis, morphœa, vitiligo, lupus, and syringomyelia.
When well advanced, the aggregate symptoms of leprosy form a picture which can scarcely be confused with that of any other disease. In doubtful cases microscopical examinations of the involved tissues, for the bacilli, should be made.
State the prognosis of leprosy.
Unfavorable; a fatal termination is the rule, but may not be reached for a number of years. The tubercular form is the most grave, the mixed variety next, and the anæsthetic the least. Patients are not infrequently carried off by intercurrent disease. Proper management will often delay the fatal ending, and exceptionally, in the anæsthetic variety, stay the progress of the disease.
What is the treatment of leprosy?
Hygienic measures are important. Chaulmoogra oil and gurjun oil internally and externally are in some instances of service. Strychnia alone, or with either of these oils, is ofttimes beneficial. Ichthyol internally, and external applications of the same drug, and of resorcin, chrysarobin, and pyrogallic acid, have been extolled. Change of climate, especially to a region where the disease does not prevail, is often of great advantage.
Pellagra.
(Synonym: Lombardian Leprosy.)
Describe pellagra.