"In the 1950s, due to the absence of effective treatment measures, leprosy was regarded as an "incurable disease". Owing to the limited number of leprosaria and the charity organisaations, as well as the shortage of financial resources and health care services, the majority of patients suffered from disability and did not have the means to support themselves. As a result, they went begging in the streets. They are cast out and isolated or even attempted to end their lives. The fear of the disease and discrimination against patients with leprosy was widespread." (Professor Yin Dakui, Vice Minister of Health, the People's Republic of China, "Achievements and Prospect on Leprosy Prevention and Control in China", September 7, 1998, Bejing)[Other][China]
1950
1950 - Betty Martin's autobiography, Miracle at Carville , makes the New York Times best-seller list. (Daughters of Charity, West Central Province Archives, “Record Group 11-2, Records of the National Hansen’s Disease Programs, Carville, Louisiana, Marillac Provincialate, St. Louis, Missouri”)[People, Publication][Carville, North America]
1950
From the 1950s through to the 1970s, in the Chinese countryside, where the incidence of leprosy was high, leprosy villages were built for housing and treatment with DDS. The government allocated land for such villages. Patients enjoyed free medical treatment provided by the health department. They also received financial subsidies from the Department of Civil Affairs." (Professor Yin Dakui, Vice Minister of Health, the People's Republic of China, "Achievements and Prospect on Leprosy Prevention and Control in China", September 7, 1998, Bejing)[Treatment][China]
1950
In 1950, Dr Yao The Chang was appointed the Leonard Wood Memorial Fellow in Pharmacology and given facilities at the Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, National Institutes of Health. The principal work included the screening of drugs for trial in leprosy and efforts to cultivate Mycobacterium leprae in mouse monocytes "Appendix 1 Important Dates and Events in the Scientific Program of the Leonard Wood Memorial" in Forty Years of Leprosy Research: History of the Leonard Wood Memorial (American Leprosy Foundation) 1928 to 1967 by Esmond R Long (Washington DC: Office of the Medical Director, Leonard Wood Memorial, 1967)[Organisation]
1950
Malaysia: the research unit of the National Leprosy Control Centre (NLCC) was established. Source: P. Jayalakshmi, "Leprosy in Malaysia", Malays J Pathol., 16.1 (1994): 7-9.[Other][Malaysia]
1950
“I must confess that we have all been misled in the past regarding the dimensions of the leprosy problem in China. Former estimates were based on approximations published in 1933 which were essentially extrapolations of incomplete and misleading data. We now know that the figure of 2.6 million cases for the whole of China was calculated on the basis of studies in the costal provinces and Yangtse River basin provinces, where the prevalence rates were higher. More reliable statistics are provided by the health authorities of the People’s Republic of the situation when the health services were extended, after the First and Second National Health Conferences in 1950 and 1951, to cover the whole country. Leprosy was then included in the countryside review. In accordance with the earlier accepted practice, the majority of leprosy sufferers actually receiving some care were inpatients in the forty institutions already mentioned. Official statistics indicate that there were about 50,000 people suffering from leprosy at the time, most of whom were receiving no treatment at all. (Stanley Browne, “Medical Services behind the Bamboo Curtain”, an unpublished paper given at the Eighteenth Meeting of the International Association of Physicians for the Overseas Services, Friday, November 27th, 1981.)[Epidemiology][China]
1950
In 1950 the first issue of the Leonard Wood Memorial's monthly publication Leprosy Briefs appeared. During 1950-1962 this carried information on scientific progress in leprosy to 2,500 medical and lay workers in leprosy throughout the world "Appendix 1 Important Dates and Events in the Scientific Program of the Leonard Wood Memorial" in Forty Years of Leprosy Research: History of the Leonard Wood Memorial (American Leprosy Foundation) 1928 to 1967 by Esmond R Long (Washington DC: Office of the Medical Director, Leonard Wood Memorial, 1967)[Organisation]
1950
CarvilleBetty Martin's autobiography, Miracle at Carville , hits the New York Times best-sellers list. ( http://bphc.hrsa.gov/nhdp/HISTORY_MAIN_PAGE.htm )[Leprosarium][USA]
1950
In 1950, the Leonard Wood Memorial sponsored the establishment of a Registry of Leprosy in the American Registry of Pathology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), Washington DC in cooperation with the National Research Council, to supply teaching materials on leprosy to physicians and medical schools at home and abroad. A subsidy was made and has been continued annually "Appendix 1 Important Dates and Events in the Scientific Program of the Leonard Wood Memorial" in Forty Years of Leprosy Research: History of the Leonard Wood Memorial (American Leprosy Foundation) 1928 to 1967 by Esmond R Long (Washington DC: Office of the Medical Director, Leonard Wood Memorial, 1967)[Organisation]
1950
In 1950, Dr Doull convened a meeting in New York of leading pharmacologists from United States universities and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies to discuss ways and means of undertaking large scale studies of drugs for the treatment of leprosy "Appendix 1 Important Dates and Events in the Scientific Program of the Leonard Wood Memorial" in Forty Years of Leprosy Research: History of the Leonard Wood Memorial (American Leprosy Foundation) 1928 to 1967 by Esmond R Long (Washington DC: Office of the Medical Director, Leonard Wood Memorial, 1967)[Organisation]
1950
McKean Leprosy HospitalSegregated patient care had been the policy thus far, and was provided at the Centre, and in the resettlement villages. But with the advent of DDS, the possibility of treatment and cure from the disease became a reality, even though therapy was advocated as needing to be lifelong. Patients still at the Centre (now named McKean Leprosy Hospital since 1949) began to improve and some were able to go home. However, stigma and fear prevailed in the attitudes of many and the number of residents at the Hospital steadily increased, reaching a peak of just over 1000 by 1969. Some more resettlement villages were formed during these years, mainly brought on by a policy dispute amongst some of the leaders of the work.There was improvement in the quality of life for the patients, with spiritual nurture and useful employment being provided. Various vocational activities helped. Many patients became very skillful in handcrafts and agricultural projects. Other more disabled workers lived and worked at McKean in various types of sheltered workshops , producing woodcarvings, lacquerware, sewing and embroidery items, or involved in a McKean vocational training centre for furniture making and printing. Dr Trevor Smith (McKean Rehab Center, Chiangmai, Nth Thailand)[Leprosarium][Siam]
1950
In Quensland, it was planned to transfer the lazaret at Peel Island to the mainland: "Transfer of Leprosarium – At Burpengary, about 26 miles north of Brisbane, land has been resumed for the site of a new leprosarium. This institution will be equipped with all modern amenities for patients, including individual dormitory apartments for single patients and flats or cottages for married patients and families. The new site will be easy of access for patients, visitors, and staff, and will permit of rapid transfer of patients to the specialist facilities available at Wattlebrae, the infectious diseases section of the Brisbane General Hospital. Every effort is being made to hasten the completion of this important project.” (Vincent F B Lennon, Medical Officer “Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy)”Health Department Annual Report extract: 1950-51)[Epidemiology][Australasia]
1950
Xiaowang Island leprosariumBuilding of the leprosarium was completed in June, 1950. It had 100 beds. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1950
Sulphones, for choice DDS, are used, but “It is interesting to note that the use of hydnocarpus oil has increased co-incidentally with the extended use of the new synthetic preparations.” Leprosy settlements are being expanded and new sites sought for in W. Buganda. Government and African Local Government expenditure in grants for settlements reached £15,326 (Anti-Leprosy Measures in the Uganda Protectorate, 1824-51) in “Leprosy Incidence and Control in East Africa, 1924-1952 and the Outlook” by Leonard Rogers, Leprosy Review 25.1 (1954): 41-59[Epidemiology, Organisation, People, Treatment][Africa, Uganda]
1950
Indian Council of BELRA becomes HKNS. All the five-year plans provided budget for leprosy control work. (Dongre, ILA History Workshop, July 2000)[Organisation][India]
1951
Xiying LeprosariumIn 1951, the leprosarium had 60 patients, and was under the Directorship of the Zhangjiang City government. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
901 patients were registered at the Colónia Rovisco Pais Hospital, Portugal[Other][Europe]
1951
Yilang leprosariumThe leprosarium had 13 patients. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Nanhai County Xundao Hospital ClinicIn 1951, the leprosarium housed 22 patients, and was under the Directorship of Wu Xuezong. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Deji Hospital ClinicIn 1951, the leprosarium housed 3 patients, and was under the Directorship of Cai Huaixiang. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Kolhapur District, Maharashtra, India: 40 deaths from leprosy. Source: Maharashtra State Gazetteer, Kolhapur District. Bombay: Directorate of Government Printing, Stationery and Publications. Maharashtra State 1960. 1st edn. 1886. 2nd (rev) 1960, p. 784.[Epidemiology][India]
1951
Eshan County leprosariumThe leprosarium had 20 patients. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Xianyou yangjiyuan (Relief House)The leprosarium had 46 patients. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Daqin Island LeprosariumIn 1951, the leprosarium had 11 patients, and was under the Directorship of Yang Chengzhi. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Estimated leprosy cases in India - 1.3 million. ( Independent Evaluation of NLEP - June, 1955 )[Epidemiology][India]
1951
Lunan leprosariumThe leprosarium had 23 patients. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Liangting Leprosarium, SuiluIn 1951, the leprosarium housed 170 patients. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
Puren Hospital ClinicIn 1951 the leprosarium had 23 patients, and was Directed by Hehuimin. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]
1951
National Sanatorium Kikuchi Keifu-en (Kyushu Hospital) 国立療養所菊池恵楓園"In 1951, Dr Kensuke Mitsuda and two other directors of state-run sanatoria testified before the House of Councillors' Public Health Committee. They said, `It is necessary to have laws which make it possible to force leprosy patients to be contained in sanatoria even if it is against their will. Sterilization is a good way to ensure that the disease will not be transmitted among family members. To escape from a sanatorium should be made a crime for patients and as such be punished.' This testimony ran totally counter to the trends of the times and served to halt the movement towards liberating the patients. When the patients heard of this testimony, they perceived it to be a massive blow against them, and angered they began to protest. The testimony of the three directors clearly indicated that those who represented the sanatoria refused to accept the new principles of the new times and were determined to persist in their pre-war opinion. It was this attitude of persistence that obstructed the effort to change the policies on Hansen's disease. As if to respond to the testimony of the three directors, plans were drawn up to construct a correctional facility for Hansen's disease patients next to the Kikuchi Keifuen Sanatorium. In spite of protests, the facility was constructed. (Ohtani 107-8)`[Leprosarium][Japan]
1951
People's leprosariumThe leprosarium had 80 patients. Source: Professor Jiang Cheng (Compiler), "A Schedule of the Leprosy Hospitals and Clinics: Preliminary Investigation in China" Department for the Prevention of Epidemic Diseases, Ministry of Health, China (April 1951).[Leprosarium][China]