FIGHTING LEPROSY IN INDIA The WORK OF DICHPALI
This film is held by the BFI (ID: 580599).
Synopsis
"FIGHTING LEPROSY IN INDIA: THE WORK AT DICHPALI". "ARRIVING AT DICHPALI STATION". Group of men sitting under Dichpali signpost. Crowd waits for train, train arrives. "THE ENTRNCE TO THE LEPER HOME". Exterior gateway, two natives walking, some of the buildings, "THE TREATMENT HOSPITAL". Exterior buildings. "IN THE PRIVATE WARDS (ON LEFT) ARE PATIENTS FROM ALL OVER INDIA - GENERAL RESIDENTIAL WARDS FOR MEN. 36 OF THEM. LEPER GIRLS' HOSTEL UNDER CONSTRUCTION. NOTE THE INDIAN MANNER OF GRINDING MORTAR" ie oxen going round in circle to turn millstone. "A GLIMPSE OF SOME OF THE 820 PATIENTS". Crowd leaving building, informal line of children. "1462 APPLICANTS WERE REGRETFULLY REFUSED ADMISSION LAST YEAR". Camera pans across line-up. European man walks along line-up enouraging the children, "THE ASSEMBLY HALL. PATIENTS GATHERING FOR RICE RATIONS". Carrying bowls. "THE HOSPITAL SISTER DISTRIBUTING THE RICE RATIONS". Fuilling cans, trays, etc. "SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS". Close-ups of several boys; man salutes! close ups of several men; group of patients standing on hospital steps. European walks by with European lady. Patients sit on steps, smiling; Sister tends to a young boy's face, a man's back, a doctor tends to a young man's arms. In the laboratories slides are examined under a microscope. Girls picking blossom from trees. "THE HYDROCARPUS TREE FROM WHICH TREATMENT OIL COMES. THE DICHPALI MAXIM `FAITH OIL AND WORK, BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS WORK' IN THE GARDENS. 57 DIFFERENT VEGETABLES WERE GROWN HERE LAST YEAR. WE DO OUR OWN CLOTH WEAVING. ALL PATIENTS HAVE THREE HOURS MANUAL LABOUR DAILY". Gardening, winding wool, spinning, weaving. "THE TWO FAVOURITE DICHPALI GAMES: FOOTBALL AND BADMINGTON - LEPER BOYS' HOSPITAL. DR ISABEL KERR SAID `NO CHILD NOW NEED EVER GROW UP A LEPER". Boys lined up saluting. "BOYS AND GIRLS' BRIGADE AT PARADE AND DRILL". Formal line-up, under banner, of staff and patients, boys and girls in uniform.