In the Muraz Centre archive are reports, technical documents and notes relating to the activities of the research institute mainly dating from the 1960s to the 1980s.

A list of the files related to leprosy in the Centre Muraz Archives can be accessed here (PDF, 24 pages).

Notable files in the archive include the following:

CM-0022 – Professor Lechat’s report from 1950 on the utilisation of epidemiometric models to organise leprosy campaigns.

There is a 1960 report (CM-0016) by P Saint André and J Languillon on the treatment of lepromatous leprosy using the sulphone DADDS.

An anonymous document from 1963 (CM-0020) includes an historical part on Hansen’s discovery of the leprosy bacillus, and a section of leprosy statistics in the African member countries of OCCGE (Organisation de Coordination et de Coopération pour la Lutte Contre les Grandes Endémies).

Annual reports for the Centre are held here, for the following years: 1964, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1981 and 1988 (CM-0037 – CM-0046).

A report (CM-001) written by Pierre Lozac’Hmeur in 1965 highlights problems with leprosy control measures in the region, and suggests improvements.

There are reports from the technical conferences of OCCGE. From the organisation’s fifth conference in 1965, there is a report (CM-0015) by Sansarricq on the role of sanitary education in the fight against leprosy. From the fifteenth conference in 1975, (CM-006 - CM-008; CM-0010 – CM-0012; CM-0014) the reports relate to: hand surgery for leprosy patients; a comparison of treated populations, using both nerve and palliative surgery; the dangers of medical treatment on the nerves in leprosy cases; metabolic disorders of nerve compression in leprosy; research on the physiopathology of the effect of leprosy on the nerves; the speech of the Honorary Secretary-General of OCCGE, who spoke about treatment not having removed stigma.

Another report (CM-0018), written in 1972 by P Saint André and Y Gillot, is on preliminary results using clofazimine for the prevention of “erythemes noueux lépreux”.

CM-0019 - Dr P Saint André’s report on the Tenth International Leprosy Congress in Bergen, 1973.

A 1975 report describes the results of a five-year treatment programme of lepromatous leprosy, using rifampicin for one year, then DDS (dapsone) for four years.

A ‘mémoire’ (CM-0023) by M Louvet (1975) reports on the anti-leprosy campaign in West Africa by Richet. It is described as effective.

CM-002 is a report by Pierre Saint André, dated 1978. It contains summaries and comments on correspondence relating to leprosy control in various countries. Many of the countries’ representatives view leprosy control as basic care, but do not take into account the medical authorities’ mistrust of people with the disease.

An undated document (CM-0021), written by J Languillon, describes a blind trial of weekly doses of Fanasil and Disulone (sulphamides) for lepromatous leprosy. A clinical improvement in the patients was apparent, and complications and relapses more rare than with sulphone treatment.

There is documentation of research programmes, including two that studied relapse rates in multi-bacillary cases treated with Rifampicine from 1976 to 1985 (CM-0024 and CM-0025, 1989). Another (CM-0026) is also on relapses in multi-bacillary cases, treated with MDT (1984).

Entry created 11 September 2003; updated February 2016