"Unlike most leprosy institutions in India, the Tirumani Leper Settlement is one which, in addition to its usual work, is associated with organisations which carry out research and investigations, both in rural and urban areas, amongst children and adults, thus presenting valuable facilities to study the disease and its problems at bed side, laboratory, and in villages.

It was a pleasure and privilege to be allowed to study the tremendous amount of work done in this institution. Relevant figures for the year are stated below: New admissions 268; No of discharges as bacteriologically negative 141; Bacteriological examination done 4,522; Biopsy made 63; No of cases admitted to the hospitals 358; No of out patients 200.

Special Studies: Control of lepra fever, Treatment of ulcers, Lepromin test, Effect of diet on nerve and bone pain, Diet to help bacteriologically positive cases to become negative, Clinical and histological studies of incipient cases and cases in the indeterminate stage between tuberculoid and lepromatous, Therapeutic effect of indigenous and foreign drugs.

This is also a teaching institution. The clinical material obtainable for the purpose is abundant. I only wish that the service of a chemist could be available.

The large number of investigations carried out by the Chief Medical Officer at different places can only be carried out successfully if he is given more trained and experienced assistants; otherwise either the interest of the institution has to be sacrificed or the investigations and other activities have to be curtailed.

The last time I was here was in 1929. This is 1939. I know who is responsible for all these improvements. This gentleman has often told me that it is his ambition to train a band of Indians to take charge of the work. I may hope that by 1949, this pious hope of Dr Cochrane would have been fulfilled as according to my experience here, the material is not wanting."