Polynesian., 1853-09-24

On the whole, therefore, all that have
seen, and do see, prove to me, that while
the nation is sinking under grievous calam-
ity, the rulers of the nation have done
nothing effective to avert or lessen it, and
can conceive only two things that can be
urged in reply to this accusation.
In the first place it may be said that the
government have not sat idle. that they have
acted, and that they have adopted measures
very similar 10 those generally employed in
such cases iE England and North America
/ acknowledge the similarity of the pro-
ceedings, but in my opinion, such similarity.
instead of being safe rule Of action, affords
on the contrary presumption Of error. If
there be great dissmilarity in the things,
then to treat them as if they were similar,
must certainly be wrong.
All laws and regulations, and governmental
action in general, are to be viewed not on
themselves alone, but as they apply to the
people on whom they are to operate. If not,
they put one in mind Of what celebrated
traveller saw on the magnetic island. There
the cut Of coats was determined by certain
refined mathematical principles True it
was, they made not an exact fit. Sometimes
a sleeve would reach only the elbow, some
times dangle over the fingers, but what thens
The principle could not be wrong, it was all
the fault of the arms. 1t is just as absurd to
expect people to change their nature to tit
a law. as it is to expect one to lengthen or
shorten his arms to fit a coat. Men and
things must be taken as they are, not as one
would have them to be and to make true
fit of either coat or law, it ought to be the
first object Of both lawgiver and tailor to
take an exact measure.
But, in the second place it may be asked
how can affirm that nothing effective has
been done for the stay Of the pestilence when
it is notorious, that the medical profession in
general, have been unremitting in their ex-
ertions to mitigate and repel the affiiction.
l answer. that, to have given due efficacy
to those efforts they ought to have been
encouraged, assisted and systematized by
government.
What then, it will be said, would | have
had the government to have done, or what
would have it to do?
To answer this fitly it is necessary to con-
slider first the amount of the evil hanging
over the nation.
From all learn, am led to believe that
four-fifths Of those who have not yet had the
disease are now liable to it, and that of those
attacked two fiftbs die This would take
fearful per centage from the poor remains Of
a once numerous people.
Again, while the disease is in progress, the
dread which it inspires, and the sanatory
regulations imposed check internal commu-
nication, and put stop to industry. For IN
stance, saw at Kipahulu whole ranges Of
houses shut up. and crops abandoned.
While it is in progress also, the natural and
most important commerce Of the kingdom,
that proceeding from furnishing refresh
ments and supplies for the fleets navigating
this ocean must be very greatly diminished.
The fear of infection, the increased difficulty
of obtaining articles suited to recruit their
passengers and crews, cannot but produce
this effect Both public and private revenue
must thus in consequence be seriously, even
alarmingly affected. Considered, therefore.
merely financially, to put as speedy stop as
possible to the ravages Of the small pox
seems to be national necessity.
What then are the means by which the
disease may be most speedily stayed!
The answer seems to be, vaccinate the
whole people as speedily as possible. I'm
fortunately two circumstances render the
task difficult In the first place the cuta-
neous diseases with which the natives are
affected seem, some how or another, to give
rise to a spurious pustule, which is mistaken
for the true vaccine disease, and propagated
instead of it, The only certain remedy
seems to be that when the vaccination has
not been under the hands Of competent
medical practitioners the population should
be inspected, and when doubt, exists re-
yaccinated. In the second place medical
men are only scattered here and there
over the islands; in many extensive tracts
thew are not be found. With the exception
Of myself there are only three medical
practitioners on this island, DIR. Macdougal,
at Makawao, and DR.. Dow and Hutchinson,
at Lahaina In their immediate vicinity the
population wil be found in satisfactory
state. A proof Of this is the small amount OF
mortality in Lahaina. | am satisfied
great sweep would have been made there
but for the energetic and gratuitous exer-
tons Of the gentlemen l have referred TO-.
What then ought the Government to do'
The answer seems plain. Let them come
forward and act energetically. Let them
summon Medical Convention at Honolulu.
Of men having the highest reputation and
having had most experience of this disease
Under their direction let medical men be
sent TO localities where no medical men are
settled. with directions 10 inspect the inhabi-
tants thoroughly and free them from the
chance of con,agion. Let proper persons
he nrovided to attend the sick, in case OF
small nox in the meantime breaking out
While their other measures are being carried
into effect. There seems lull now in the
storm. Let full advantage be taken OF u.
1t is most desirable also, that those attacked
by the maIady should have the beneht OF
med;ca, aid. and should be properly attended.