My leper friends : $b An account of personal work among lepers, and of their daily life in India

"My Leper Friends" by Mrs. M. H. Hayes is a personal account and humanitarian narrative written in the late 19th century. The book chronicles the author’s experiences while working among lepers in India, focusing on their struggles and the efforts to alleviate their suffering. It sheds light on the lives of these marginalized individuals, emphasizing the need for compassion and reform in their treatment. At the start of the book, Mrs. Hayes reflects on her journey to India with her husband, where she becomes increasingly aware of the hardships faced by lepers. Her initial visits to a leper asylum leave her profoundly impacted; she details the pitiful living conditions and the lack of proper care. Through her writing, she aims to raise public awareness and support for these afflicted individuals. The narrative is filled with encounters with several lepers, showcasing their humanity and providing insights into their daily realities, setting the stage for a broader discussion on societal attitudes towards those suffering from this debilitating disease. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alice M. Hayes (1862/63–1913) was a British horse trainer. Married to the veterinarian and horse expert Horace Hayes she was well travelled and an expert at breaking-in. Hayes demonstrated her riding skills on the most difficult of horses and once, in India, rode a zebra sidesaddle. She wrote The Horsewoman in 1893, a guide to riding for ladies, in which she strongly opposed the adoption of the cross saddle position used traditionally by men. Hayes was a supporter of women lepers in India. She secured additional help for them from the government and donated the proceeds from her book to leper hospitals.