01472nas a2200241   4500000000100000008004100001260001700042653002300059653001300082653002100095653001100116653001100127653001400138653001200152653001800164100001200182245011300194300001100307490000700318050003200325520085900357022001401216       2003                            d  c2003 Apr-Jun10aAsia, Southeastern10aCataract10aDisabled Persons10aGoiter10aHumans10aLathyrism10aleprosy10aPoliomyelitis1 aMiles M00aKnowledge and management of disabling conditions in South Asian histories: implications for leprosy futures.  a153-670 v75  aInfolep Library - available3 a<p>Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem appears feasible in South Asia in the present decade through multi-drug therapy, but management of disability in cured leprosy patients will continue through the 21st century, probably with some ongoing stigma. This paper provides new perspectives on leprosy-related disabilities by reviewing the historical careers of four disabling conditions sharing some features with leprosy: lathyrism, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), cataract and poliomyelitis. All are targeted for eradication or serious reduction using affordable surgery or preventive measures, yet they have proved unexpectedly resilient. Technical solutions alone bring only partial success. There is a need also for community-based delivery methods, individual and family self-help, and some redeployment of professional expertise.</p>  a0254-9395