INTERNATIONAL JOU R N AL OF L EPROSY Volume 44, Number 4 Printed in the U.S.A . NEWS and NOTES

This department furnishes information concerning institutions, organizations, and individuals engaged in work on leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases, and makes note of scientific meetings and other matters of interest.

1976 Damien-Dutton Award

On 20 September 1976 Dr. Yoshio Yoshie was presented the 1976 Damien-Dutton Award at the Sasakawa Hall~ Tokyo~ where the Eleventh J oint Leprosy Research Conference of the U .S.-J apan Cooperative Medical Science Program was being held. The citation reads: "1976 Damien-Dutton Award presented to Dr. Yoshio Yoshie who as Director~ National I nstitute for Leprosy Research~ and Chairman~ Japanese Leprosy Panel~ led his colleagues in achieving outstanding scientific advances toward the conquest of lep­ rosy. U.S.-Japan Conference- Tokyo, September 1976." Dr. Yoshie~ who was recognized as a senior distinguished contributor in the Centennial Festskrift issue of the IJL 41, No. 2~ graduated from the Tokyo University School of Medi­ cine in 1926, and served as doctor-in-chief of the National Leprosarium Tama Zenshoen in 1937 until 1955. From 1955-1962 he served as chief of the research department of the N ation­ al I nstitute for Leprosy Research, and then served as its director from 1962 until his retire­ ment in May 1974. In addition to his many other activities he served as secretary-treasurer of the Japanese Leprosy Association~ editor of LA LEPRo~ and chairman of the Japanese Lep­ rosy Panel. During his active years of leprosy research Dr. Yoshie contributed many articles contributing to advances in the area of the microbiology of M. leprae.

496 44,4 News & Notes 497

Canada. Leprosy research HHansen Pa­ Churches of Geneva. vilion" officially inaugurated at Institute Many members of the military and Hos­ Armand-Frappier. On the 30th of August pitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem, 1976, at 12:30 p.m., the Premier of the Prov­ whose preoccupation towards leprosy dates ' ince of Quebec, the Honorable Robert Bou­ back nearly 1,000 years and whose Interna­ rassa, officially inaugurated the leprosy tional Reunion was held in Quebec City from research pavilion of the Institut Armand­ August 26-29 were also present.-Claude Le Frappier, located at 531 des Prairies Boule­ Gris (Director of Public Relations, Institute vard, City of Laval. Armand-Frappier) Built through the generosity of two anon­ ymous Canadian foundations and the Min­ England. Dr. S. G. Browne honored. Dr. ' istry of National Health and Social Welfare Browne, who serves as medical consultant through its Health Resources Fund, this to The Leprosy Mission, has been appointed building will house the laboratories of a re­ president-elect of the Royal Society of Trop­ search group that has worked on leprosy for ical Medicine and Hygiene. He will assume more than 25 years. the office in mid-1977 and will hold the office This development will help the researchers for two years.-News from The Leprosy Mis­ of the Institut Armand-Frappier to intensify sion, 27 July 1976 their efforts towards a better understanding Leprosy doctors and other personnel of this particular disease and to establish needed far service in The Leprosy Mission. better ways and means for the eradication of The latest list (as of 25 July 1976) of person­ leprosy. nel needed in The Leprosy Mission overseas During the inaugural ceremony of the includes ten doctors (six physicians, one sur­ HANSEN PAVILION, addresses were given geon, two physician/ surgeons, one ophthal­ by the following persons: the president of mologist), five nursing officers, five physio­ the Board of Directors, Mr. Andre Charron; therapists, a laboratory technician, and an the president of I'Universite du Quebec, Mr. administrator / engineer. They are all needed Robert Despres; on special mission for this in spite of the increasing numbers of nation­ very occasion, Mr. Erik Waaler, representa­ al staff who are currently being trained and tive of the Government of Norway, where the appointed by The Mission in the countries Hansen bacillus was discovered in 1873; the where it is at work. Please address inquiries director of the Institut Armand-Frappier, Dr. to: The Leprosy Mission, 50 Portland Place, Aurele Beaulnes; and the Premier of the London WIN 3DG, England.-News from Province of Quebec, the Honourable Robe·rt The Leprosy Mission, 27 July 1976 Bourassa. Among the 200 guests, were many distin­ Germany. Health needs of society and a guished representatives of the federal, pro­ challenge for medical education: a round vincial and municipal governments, of the table conference organized by CIOMS. The diplomatic and consular corps, and of many Council for International Organization of Canadian and foreign nongovernmental or­ Medical Sciences is a nongovernmental or­ ganizations, as well as of the university ganization established by UNESCO and the milieu and of the financial and philanthropic World Health Organization. Its me'mbership world. Among those present were Hansen's incl udes 68 international organizations and grandson, the Honourable Ministers Jean­ 22 national members representing academies Pierre' Goyer and Claude Forget, the Arch­ of science and research national councils of bishop of Montreal Mgr. Paul Gregoire, the particular countries, making a total of 90 Mayor of the City of Laval, Dr. Lucien Paie­ organizations. In recent years, CIOMS has ment, the deputy-minister of National Health, attempted to stimulate the conscience of Mr. Jean Lupien, and senior representatives medical workers through a series of round from a number of societies and agencies, table conferences. These conferences have namely the Fame Pereo Institute, the Lep­ covered a wide range of topics, such as rosy Relief (Canada), the Canadian Red "Medical Research-Priorities and Respon- , Cross, the Canadian Leprosy Council, the sibilities," "Training of Research Workers in International Medical Assistance, l' Associa­ the Medical Sciences," "Protection of Hu­ tion fran~aise des Fondations Raoul Folle­ man Rights in the Light of Scientific and reau, and the Ecumenical Council of Technological Progress in Biology and Med- 498 International Journal of Leprosy 1976

icine," "Medical Care and Society." tute, Chingleput. These reports have just The CIOMS Conference held in VIm, Ger­ been received from the institute in India. many, 6-10" July 1976, was organized and They are issued by the Government of India financed by the German Research Society, Press in 1976, each comprises about 60 pages on the theme "Health Needs of Society: A and are too packed with a great variety of Challenge for Medical Education." It was detail to be adequately summarized. A peru­ attended by about 35 participants from four sal of the reports indicates that this impor­ continents. The International Leprosy Asso­ tant and well-known leprosy center continues ciation, a member of CIOMS, was repre­ to maintain a strong research and training sented by Prof. M. F. Lechat. The topics con­ program in addition to its broad and varied sidered included: health and disease around clinical services. Thus, the 1974 report de­ ·the world, implications of health and disease scribes 25 research projects virtually span­ for the responsibilities and obligations of the ning most areas of leprosy interest. There medical profession, the responsibilities of were held in that year 14 meetings of the medical education in training the future phy­ Clinical Society including many presenta­ sician, and medical education as a social tions by varied visitors of repute as well as phenomenon. staff members. Six training programs were Although these .topics were not specifical­ conducted and six WHO Fellows received ly related to leprosy, the discussions offered training at the institute.-Olaf K. Skinsnes many opportunities to stress leprosy as an important health and social problem ~n many Jamaica. Dr. Oliver Hasselblad writes countries, a major responsibility for public booklet on leprosy control in Jamaica. The health authorities and a challenge for medi­ Minister of Health and Environmental Con­ cal education. Dr. Kamunvi, Director, East trol has issued a booklet "Guide to Leprosy African Medical Research Council of the Control in Jamaica." It is written by Dr. Has­ East African Community, in Arusha, Tanza­ selblad who is currently in charge of the lep­ nia, and H onorary Secretary, East African rosy program in Jamaica. This concise Leprosy Association, emphasized leprosy as presentation outlines most general areas of being an example of the complex relations case finding, patient care and disease con­ between illnesses and the attitude of the so­ tro1.-0Iaf K. Skinsnes ciety toward sick people. While the goal of medicine is not only to cure diseases but to Malaysia. Dr. M. K. Bhojwani, Director, keep people adjusted to their environment National Leprosy Control Center, Sungei as useful members of the community, society Buloh, initiates new method of integration may tend to make diseases worse by restrict­ .for leprosy and nonleprosy patients. The lep­ ing the movements of sick people, denying rosarium at Sungei Buloh is about 14 miles education to children, refusing the right to from Kuala Lumpur, and there is no govern­ marriage, isolating those afflicted by certain ment district hospital between Kuala Lum­ diseases (like leprosy), and obliging them to pur and Kuala Selangor, the latter town rely on the assistance of others. being on the coast about 25 miles from Spn­ The need to include leprosy in the training gei Buloh. For as long as can be remembered of primary health care workers was men­ there has been an outpatient clinic carried tioned. Among the resolutions presented for out at Sungei Buloh for nonleprosy patients discussion at the end of the meeting was one from the surrounding area. For several years advocating the orientation and training of Dr. Bhojwani considered the possibility of medical students on actual community prob­ opening a general ward in the leprosarium lems, among which leprosy must be included. for nonleprosy patients. On 19 January 1976, There are no valid reasons that would justi­ a new ward, built three or four years previ­ fy the exclusion-or the virtual exclusion-of ously just outside the old leprosy patient area leprosy in the curricula of many medical but which had been used for leprosy patients, schools in various countries. All doctors was converted into a general ward for non­ should have instruction in the diagnosis and leprosy patients. This proved so popular with treatment of leprosy.-· M. F. Lechat patients from the surrounding villages and estates that on 1 April 1976 Dr. Waters gave India. Annual Reports 1973-1974 for Cen­ up the original research unit ward. The re­ tral Leprosy Teaching and Research Insti- search unit has "moved up" the ward corri- 44,4 News & Notes 499 dor and now uses the adjoining wards. It working out the details of the meetings and almost seems virtually unique for integration the accompanying social program. There is a to be- carried out in this manner even with plethora of tours available for those wishing the two nonleprosy wards on the very edge to take advantage of a visit to Mexico to see of the old leprosy area. We hope and believe something of its rich past and present. that by having general medical patients at As soon as possible after the meeting of Sungei Buloh the stigma of leprosy will fur­ the president's advisory committee in Janu­ ther decrease in Malaysia.-Dr. M. F. R. ary, an announcement will be made giving Waters information concerning the themes of the scientific sessions, and the program in gen­ Dr. M. F. R. Waters leaves Sungei Buloh eral, together with indications of the dead­ to study in London. In September Dr. Wa­ lines for the reception of abstracts and full ters completed ten years of continuous ser­ papers. The secretary-general of the Con­ vice as director of the Leprosy Research gress will be Dr. S. G. Browne.-S. G. Unit, and returned to London for approx­ Browne imately eighteen months of intensive sabbat­ ical study at the National Institute for Medi­ Switzerland. Tenth International Congress cal Research, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, o.f Chemotherapy, Zurich, Switzerland, Sep­ England.-Dr. M. F. R. Waters tember 18-23, 1977. The Congress will be held under the auspices of the Paul Ehrlich Mexico. Dr. Fernando Latapi announces Society for Chemotherapy at the Federal In­ new addresses for the following organiza­ stitute of Technology in Zurich. Attendance tions in Mexico City: Centro Dermatologico and participation are open to all scientists Pascua; Asociacion Mexicana de Accion interested in antimicrobial and anticancer Contra La Lepra, A.C.~ Dermatologia, Revis­ chemotherapy. The official language will be ta Mexicana; Sociedad Mexicana de Derma­ English and no simultaneous translation will tologia; XI Congreso Internacional de Lepra be provided. The scientific program will con­ ( 11-18 November 1978). Please direct all sist of symposia and free paper sessions in correspondence relating to all of the above the field of antimicrobial and anticancer organizations to the following address: Calle chemotherapy. Ample time will be included Dr. Vertiz Esq. Avenida Central, Mexico 7, for discussions. The Congress is being organ­ D. F., Mexico. Telephone numbers: 538-70-33 ized by Prof. W. Siegenthaler, President, and and 538-66-77.-(Notice received 25 Novem­ Dr. R. Luthy, Secretary-General. Those in­ ber 1976) terested in receiving further information are requested to correspond directly to: The Ad­ Eleventh International Leprosy Congress, ministrative Secretariat, Tenth International Mexico 1978. The 11 th International Leprosy Congress of Chemotherapy, P. O. Box 182, Congress will be held in Mexico City from CH-40 13 Basle, Switzerland.-(N otice re­ Monday through Saturday, 13-18 November ceived September 1976) 1978. Dr. J. Convit, the president of the Associ­ U.S.A. A new play on Father Damien pre­ ation has appointed an advisory committee sented in Hawaii. The play was entitled "Da­ consisting of representative members of the mien" starring Terence Knapp as Damien, Council, to consider the themes and form of and written by Aldyth M orris, presented at the scientific sessions of the Congress. This Kennedy Theater, University of Hawaii, Sep­ committee will meet in January 1977, to tember 11, 1976. study the many suggestions that have been Terence Knapp, a member of the drama made so that the eleventh Congress may not and theater department of the University of only provide a forum and platform for the Hawaii, chose to 17emember and recreate the publication of the latest advances in leprosy life of Father Damien in a one-man play, for research, but may give an opportunity to the which he commissioned Morris to write as majority of our members to derive the max­ part of Hawaii's celebration to the American imum benefit from this meeting together. Bicentennial. Knapp viewed this portrayal of A local organizing committee, under the Damien as an "exhilarating challenge" due honorary presidency of Professor F. Latapi to what he felt were Damien's forceful per­ and with Dr. Amado Saul as its secretary, is sonality and psychic energy which developed 500 International Journal of Leprosy 1976 from his deep spiritual convictions. The ac­ as head of the training program of the All tion of the play records the journey of Father Africa Leprosy and Rehabilitation Training Damien's body from Hawaii to Belgium some Center (ALERn, one of the largest leprosy 46 years after his death (see IJL 41 [1973] training institutions in the world. 215-219, for an account of the events leading When ALER T was established in 1965, to the return of Damien's body to Belgium). American Leprosy Missions, one of the five In Knapp's portrayal of Damien, we view a original founders, selected Dr. Ross as train­ very moving and interesting insight into Da­ ing director. In this capacity he developed mien's recollections of his life in Belgium, and supervised a comprehensive program Hawaii, and his service among the leprosy which includes long and short-term courses patients on the island of M olokai. Inter­ for physicians and surgeons, rural area super­ spersed among the various aspects of his life visors, physical therapists, rehabilitation and are the frustrations he felt regarding the lack orthopedic technicians. The courses cover of treatment provided for leprosy patients, every area of leprosy management, with spe­ and the final frustrations he might have ex­ cial emphasis on assisting trainees to share perienced had he known that his body was their skills with others. being removed from Molokai, the island Most of ALER T's trainees come from where he had chosen to spend his life. The countries throughout Africa, though a sub­ play was also presented to the leprosy pa­ stantial number are also from Asia, Europe tients of Kalaupapa, Molokai and may pos­ and North and South America. They are se­ sibly be produced in New York in the future. lected and sponsored by national govern­ -, L. W. Peterson and A. V. Skinsnes ments, voluntary agencies and the World Dr. Felton Ross appointed medical director Health Organization. 0.( American Leprosy Missions. Dr. W. Felton Born in Herefordshire, England, Dr. Ross . Ross, former training director of the All Af­ received his medical training at London Hos­ rica Leprosy and Rehabilitation Training pital. In 1957 he went to Nigeria and served Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has been in the Eastern Nigerian Leprosy Service un­ appointed medical director of American Lep­ til he was appointed to ALERT in 1965. rosy Missions. In 1960, on a World Health Organization The announcement was made at ALM by Fellowship, he studied reconstructive leprosy Roger K. Ackley, president of the organiza­ surgery at the Wm. Jay Schieffelin Leprosy tion. He said Dr. Ross will take over his new Research and Training Institute in Karigiri, post on August 15, 1976. India. Dr. Ross's primary role, Mr. Ackley said, Dr. Ross spent a short time in this country will be to advise and assist the president in in 1963, lecturing at various medical institu­ all matters involving medical and training tions and studying prosthetics and orthotics programs. at the Institute of Rehabilitation, University A physician with special training in sur­ of Chicago. He was also one of the panel of gery, rehabilitation, and public health, Dr. experts at the annual leprosy seminar in Ross is also experienced in urban and rural 1963 held at Carville, Louisiana, under the leprosy control work. He will develop plans auspices of American Leprosy Missions and for leprosy control in areas of the world the United States Public Health Service. where leprosy is a serious public health prob­ Dr. Ross remains as an adviser to ALERT's lem. These plans will stress integrating lep­ committee on long-range planning on teach­ rosy treatment into comprehensive commu­ ing methods of integrating leprosy treatment nity health care. into national health services. He is a member Other important aspects of his work will of the medical committee of the International be: to evaluate all ALM-supported programs Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations and from a medical and training viewpoint and in belongs to the International Leprosy Asso­ terms of their relationship to national health ciation. He has written numerous pamphlets services; to produce teaching materials in the and booklets on leprosy training and health field of leprosy control, patient care and re­ education. habilitation; to organize appropriate training Dr. Ross is married to the former Una courses in strategic areas of the world. Dickinson of Renfrewshire, Scotland. They Dr. Ross achieved wide recognition as an ha ve five children, ages six to sixteen. The expert in leprosy training in his eleven years Rosses plan to make their home in Glen 44,4 News & Notes 501

Ridge, New Jersey.-(From ALM, 6 August Workshop on Mycobacterium leprae held 1976) in Baltimore sponsored by PAHO in co'labo­ Miss Gene Phillips retires from American ration with the Johns Hopkins University Leprosy Missions. After 26 years of service School of Hygiene and Public Health. The to ALM, Miss Phillips has retired as director workshop entitled "The Microbiology of My­ of public relations. Her career, which began cobacterium leprae," was held 13-15 October May 14, 1951, has spanned a period of great 1976. Attending the workshop were a small progress in leprosy knowledge which saw group of experts, selected by their particular many advances in scientific research, under­ knowledge in the field of leprosy and who standing and public awareness. An Oklaho­ sought to define as clearly as possible where ma native, Miss Phillips has been a leader in we are today, and to identify problems which the dissemination of factual information con­ yet remain to be solved in order to move in cerning leprosy. She is well known in both the direction of control or elimination of lep­ medical and journalism circles and is author rosy as a public health problem. of two books. She is also a fine photographer Those attending were as follows: Dr. L. who has thoroughly documented many signi­ Barksdale, Dr. J. Convit, Dr. J. Hanks, Dr. ficant milestones in the fight against leprosy. W. Meyers, Dr. Q. Myrvik, Dr. C. Reich, Dr. She has traveled all over the world in search C. Shepard, Dr. C. O. Silva, Dr. O. K. Skins­ of stories and pictures with which to promote nes, Dr. J. W. Millar (chairman); and mem­ public knowledge and acceptance of this an­ bers/staff ofth'e World Health Organization/ cient disease. She plans to continue to live in Pan American Health Organization, Dr. New York City, and to pursue her interests in M. L. Brubaker, Dr. C. de Paula Motta, Dr. writing and photography. R. Martinez, Dr. H. Sansarricq, and Mrs. L. Replacing Miss Phillips on the ALM staff Lisann (editor-in-chief).-M. L. Brubaker is the Reverend W. Ralph Heller, Jr., newly­ named director of information. Mr. Heller is an ordained Lutheran minister with a back­ World Leprosy Day for 1977 endorsed by ground in parish ministry, communications church leaders. Thirteen church leaders have and medicine. Prior to his studies at Concor­ endorsed World Leprosy Day, 30 January dia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Il­ 1977, and have commended this 0 bservance linois, Mr. Heller was employed as a news to their constituencies. The statement calls reporter-photographer in the radio-television on congregations of the various denomina­ industry. He is also a registered emergency tions to reaffirm their Christian concern for medical technician. those with leprosy and to use the designated As the director of information, Mr. Heller day as a means of educating the public to the will provide direction and coordination for a needs of the fight against this disease. This I broad spectrum of information services, cre- is the 24th year of this annual observance. ate materials for a variety of vehicles used American Leprosy Missions made up a kit regularly in the information program, and of materials available to congregations to aid provide continuing editorial evaluation of all them in their local promotional efforts. It is public information releases issued from offered free to pastors and their churches.­ ALM.-ALM News Release, 21 October 1976 ALM News Release, 21 October 19'76