The word “elephantiasis” was first used by Celsus in the 1st century B.C. to indicate Leprosy. During the 2nd century A.D, Gallen included true elephantiasis also into this category. It is not generally known that physicians in India had described elephantiasis of the leg under the name “Sleepadam” very much earlier. Thus, Chapter 27 of Charaka Samhita by Charaka written in Sanskrit in the 6th Century B.C. and Chapter 12 of Susruta Samhita written in Sanskrit in the 5th century B.C. deal with the causation of the disease, signs, symptoms and treatment. Reference to the disease also made in Mahawagga, vol 1, chapter 1, 71 of Vinaya Pitakaya written in Pali in the 4th Century B.C. (Department of Health Services,1962).
In Sri Lanka, LF can be traced back to the 3rd century B.C. There is evidence that the Buddhist priesthood in Ceylon was aware of a condition known as elephantiasis when Buddhism was introduced to this country as Vinaya Pitakaya which contains the rules of the ordination of Buddhist priests, as enunciated by Lord Buddha (623-543 B.C.) refers Elephantiasis. Reference to elephantiasis of the legs has been mentioned in the Wessanthara Jataka story which became popular in the 3rd century B.C. when Buddhism was introduced to this country.
References to disease have been mentioned in ‘Saratha Sangrahaya’ a medical chronicle written in Sanskrit written by the physician king Buddhadasa of Ceylon in 4th century A.D. Besajja Manjusa written in Pali Principal by five colleges in 1300 A.D.; Yagaratnakara written in Sinhala by poet Viddu in 1665 A.D.; Yagarnavaya-an abridgment of Saratha Sangrahaya with a translation of its important Sanskrit verses into Sinhalese by Principal of Mayurapada Pirivena in 1818.
Even though the disease was known from the past, there is no definite information as to whether the disease has existed in this country from early times or whether it has been introduced as a result of trade and invasions by foreigners. It appears as if the disease had found its way through the port of Galle (Abdulcader 1961).
Historical evidence supports the view that the infection due to Brugia malayi was introduced as a result of Kalinga & 39;s invasion of this country by the Malays during the 12th and 13th A.D. Sri Lanka had a close relationship with areas known as Suvarnabhumi (including Malaya, Java & Sumatra) from 9th-century A.D. Sri Lanka had invasions from the kings of Malayan countries with Malayan soldiers in 1214 A.D. and 1247 A.D (Abdulcader 1962 cited Gauthamadasa 1986).
The earliest reference to the prevalence of the disease was made by John Davy in 1821 in his book entitled “An Account of the Interior of Ceylon and its Inhabitants with travels in that Island”.
Reference to the incidence of the disease was also made in 1879 in the Administration report of the Principal Civil Medical Officer and Inspector General of Prisons. In this report reference has been made to 3 cases of elephantiasis- One case at Kandy hospital and 2 cases at Matale hospital in the year 1892.
The earliest microfilaria case (mf) (Filaria sanguinis hominis) was detected in 1892 from Matara hospital, twenty years after Lewis reported it in India (Department of Health Services 1962).
