01356nas a2200301   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653001000055653001300065653001600078653001000094653001000104653003200114653002200146653000900168653001100177653001200188653002100200653001400221653002100235653001700256100001100273245005300284300001000337490000700347520068600354022001401040       1999                            d  c1999 Feb10aAdult10aAltruism10aArthrodesis10aBenin10aChild10aEvaluation Studies as Topic10aFollow-Up Studies10aHand10aHumans10aleprosy10aMedical Missions10aParalysis10aSurgery, Plastic10aTime Factors1 aMole B00a[Leprosy, an "exemplary" humanitarian disease?].  a46-550 v443 a<p>Leprosy still remains a dreaded disease despite the possibilities of permanent cure, the efficacy of surgical corrections, and its forthcoming disappearance. The authors conducted several surgical missions in Benin-Africa--over 4 years and report an interesting rate of control in the survey of patients as the results of their procedures were reviewed in 84% of them. Leprosy represents the perfect example of the difficulties of any humanitarian involvement with apparent contradictions between the aims of the medical wishes and the presence of a dreaded symbol that--fortunately or not--allow the existence of the many associations involved in the fight against leprosy.</p>  a0294-1260