[A device for prevention of the wound caused by leprosy patient's living environment--apply the thermosplint to the wound].

We tried to apply the use of thermosplint to prevent or protect leprosy patient's wound from risky factors in their living environment. Among 40 patients of the use of thermosplint, 27 cases wore it on some places in their hands, and 17 cases did in feet. We observed that 31 cases of the wear of thermosplint had effect on prevention or improvement in their wound, but 3 cases did not. Particularly good effect was obtained in 23 cases of the wear in their hand and 8 cases in foot. In 10 cases, however, we had to stop wearing it because of another damage or patient's uneasy. We found it difficult to apply the use of thermosplint to the plantar ulcer. Some factors such as histological and anatomical ones should be considered in more detail. Several problems of hindrances or inconveniences for daily life in wearing the thermosplint should be solved by further studies including devices for better application of the technique to the leprosy patients. At any rate it should be stressed that both patients and nurses had taken interest in the cause of the injury and could had positively come to grips with prevent of it through this study.