Leprosy mailing list – July 22nd,
2006
Ref.:
ILEP Technical Commission request for feedback on the need for a new
text on leprosy.
From: v. Brakel W., Amsterdam,
The Netherlands
Dear Salvatore,
In response to Susan Lord's query (LML
July 21st, 2006), I would like to say
I agree on the need for up-to-date, evidence-based texts on all
aspects of leprosy. However,
whether these should be in the format of a textbook I am not
convinced. Such books are
inevitably expensive and, therefore, apart from the challenges of
dissemination, difficult to access for those who would need them. In my experience, even fairly
common books like Hastings and Jopling are often missing from
libraries in leprosy-endemic countries.
Perhaps they are available in university libraries in capital
cities, but not in the numerous training institutes and medical
schools around the country.
The second challenge is that of language. English-medium textbooks can
be used widely, but do have severe limitations in several of the
current most-endemic countries. Translation
and re-publication of major textbooks is time consuming and expensive. Therefore, while it would be
nice to have a Hastings 3rd edition (2007) on my shelf, I wonder if we
could think of a different format.
For example, a modular series of loose chapters, published as
pdf documents on the Internet (ILEP website?)? If these were in the
public domain, then access through downloading, translation, etc.
would be facilitated. I
do not know whether precedents exist for such a format, but perhaps
this is worth investigating. The
second best option would be a new authoritative textbook which would
be published on the Internet and made available free of charge.
With best wishes,
Wim van Brakel
KIT Leprosy Unit
