As New York is a seaport town having intercourse with practically all parts of the world, it is not surprising that persons with leprosy gain access to this country from regions where the disease is endemic and come under the observation of physicians who are familiar with its clinical manifestations. Because of its long incubation period, which is practically unknown, or the insignificance of early minor manifestations, the victim of the infection may easily pass the port authorities. This statement in no way reflects on the diagnostic ability of our quarantine officers, as a patient with leprosy in its early, and even in its later, stages may be seen by a dozen experts without establishing a positive diagnosis despite clinical history, biopsy and bacteriologic examination. An authority like von Bergmann, of Riga, long ago emphasized this fact in his contributions on this subject. In our own dispensary and private practice,