ced, the tubercular or nodular masses give rise to great
deformity; the face, a favorite locality, becomes more or less leonine
in appearance (_leontiasis_). The tubercles persist almost indefinitely
without material change, or undergo absorption or ulceration; this last
takes place most commonly about the fingers and toes. The mucous
membrane of the mouth, pharynx and other parts may also become involved.

[Illustration: Fig. 63. Anaesthetic Leprosy.]

#Describe the symptoms of anaesthetic leprosy.#

Following or along with precursory symptoms denoting general systemic
disturbance, or independently of any prodromal indications, a
hyperaesthetic condition, in localized areas or more or less general, is
observed. Lancinating pains along the nerves and an irregular pemphigoid
eruption are also commonly noted. There soon follows the special
eruption, coming out from time to time, and consisting of several or
more, usually non-elevated, well-defined, pale-yellowish patches, one or
two inches in diameter. As a rule, they are at first neither
hyperaesthetic nor anaesthetic, but may be the seat of slight burning or
itching. They spread peripherally, and tend to clear in the centre. The
patches eventually become markedly anaesthetic, and the overlying skin,
and the skin on other parts as well, becomes atrophic and of a brownish
or yellowish color. The subcutaneous tissues, muscle, hair and nails
undergo atrophic or degenerative changes, and these changes are
especially noted about the hands and feet. These parts become crooked,
the bone tissues are involved, the phalanges dropping off or
disappearing by disintegration or absorption (_lepra mutilans_). Sooner
or later various paralytic symptoms, showing more active involvement of
the nerve trunks, present themselves.

#State the cause of leprosy.#

Present knowledge points to a peculiar bacillus as the active factor,
while climate, soil, heredity, food and habits exert a predisposing
influence.

#Is leprosy contagious?#

The consensus of opinion points to the acceptance of the possible
contagiousness of leprosy; probably by inoculation, but only under
certain unknown favoring conditions.

#What are the pathological changes?#

The lesions consist essentially of a new growth, made up of numerous
small, more or less aggregated round cells, beginning in the walls of
the bloodvessels. In this way the tubercular masses and various other
lesions are formed. As yet, p