Abstract

An attempt to control leprosy through the use of B.C.G. vaccine was started in 1954 in the Loyalty Islands, chosen because endemic leprosy has been studied in New Caledonia and dependencies for 50 years and annual case-finding records are available. This report summarizes the working procedures, which comprise Mantoux and Mitsuda testing, and B.C.G. vaccination by skin scarification. Early results, presented in graph form, show tuberculin and lepromin indices and the nature of the reactions and various correlations. It has not been possible to formulate any conclusions, which must naturally await a long period of observation.