01645nas a2200229   4500000000100000008004100001260001300042653003800055653002200093653001100115653001200126653001400138653001300152653001800165653004000183100001500223245006200238300001300300490000700313520108100320022001401401       1984                            d  c1984 Dec10aHospital Bed Capacity, 300 to 49910aHospitals, Public10aHumans10aleprosy10aLouisiana10aResearch10aUnited States10aUnited States Public Health Service1 aElwood J R00aCenter provides research, treatment for Hansen's disease.  a46-7, 510 v653 a<p>The National Hansen's Disease Center is a unique research, training, and treatment complex at Carville, LA, for Hansen's disease (leprosy), a chronic illness affecting an estimated 15 million people worldwide. The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul helped establish it in 1896, and in 1921 the center became a federally funded institution. SUlfone drug treatment, a major advance, was begun there. Scientists at Carville study the disease's unknown mode of transmission; training administrators conduct learning seminars; and laboratory researchers produce bacteria samples to be distributed as possible vaccines. Some patients receive treatment and leave, whereas others reside at the self-contained community. Reconstructive surgery is performed there, and special footwear is made. Some patients work on The Star, a magazine dedicated to correcting misconceptions about the disease and its communicability. The center includes a school and a pool and golf course. Hansen's disease care programs are available in many states and are expanding to other areas.</p>  a0882-1577