The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-06-12


The fever which was SO prevalent throughout the
group in the years 1870 and 1871 has almost entire
" disappeared, and the general health of the people
has improved somewhat since the appointment of
Travelling Physicians on the three Islands of Hawai-
Maui and Kauai, authorized by the last Legisla-
tive Assembly The policy thus inaugurated may
be continued and developed with advantage. The
Board have 10 regret the loss OF Dr. Beraz-drowned
accidentally in the District Of Hama he had proved
himself faithful and competent physician, was be-
loved by the native population aud appreciated by
foreigners generally His place will be difficult to
fll-the qualifications thereto being somewhat pc
culiar and not easily found in this community.
The Statute OF the Kingdom known as the " Act
TO Mitigate" has not worked satisfactorily, owing
perhaps to want Of necessary hospital aceommoda-
ton. The Board have alwoys regarded it as a san
iary measure and long that result appeared 10
be Produced even in limited degree, the enforce
ment of its provisions seemed desirable; but the
reports OF medical men from Honolulu itself, and
also from the outer districts would appear to show
that whatever its results may have been in former
years, il has ceased to have any good effect now.
The Board informed that during the last two
years the diseases peculiar TO this class Of people
have been more prevalent than in the ten previous
years. The probability is that syphilitic diseases
are oftener disseminated by women not registered
than by those brought under control Of the Act
The whole subject is one worthy of your serious
and careful consideration.
The use ofopium is on the increase among the ma
tive population of these lslauds. The example of
another race, coming more and more in contact
with the people produces this result 1t is much to
regretted but nevertheless too true that the opium
pipe may often be seen in the hands Of young natives
of both sexes, and it would be very desirable if the
evil could be checked in way or other; but it
would that this must be the result of a moral
control of the people themselves over the perni-
cious habit. 1t is argued by many that the law al
lowing its sale should be repealed but the result
would probably be that larger consumation would
take place as numerous parties would then engage
in the trade. The habit is too strong amongst
those who have once become habtuated to its use,
and the profits TO large to hope for its suppression
as a traffic
1t will be worthy of the consideration of the AS
semby whether the law regulating the sale of ava
may not reasonably be amended Its use is general
with all classes. Denounced by many persons as a
dangerous and pernicious drug, it is really very
doubtful If it be so its effects are of very mild
character, unless taken in very large quantities /
Under the present system any person i'll or well /
can obtain permits TO ava signed by physicians,
and the idea prevails that the physician is paid his
prescribed fee simply for the labor involved, and
not for any professional skill required to prescribe
the article If ava be a medicine why should fee |
be taken by the physician for ordering it. Ifa lux
ury, why require a medical certificate for its use.
Like tobacco and other articles of that class, it
should be within the province of the tradesman and
not the physician to sell it to the public Consis-
tently with the mode OF using and selling ava in
this Kingdom, the physicians permit is valueess
and their fees for Issuing them unjust tax on the
seller and consumer-in fact, an illgottcn perqui-
site of licensed doctor. AS it is impossible to
keep the drug under medical control, it would APP
pear to be only right that the regulation OF the sale
Of ava be placed in the same category as wines,
spirits, beer, &c.
INSANE ASYLUM
This Institution has been again placed in charge
of DIR. Hoffman, on the resignation of Dr. Hille-
brand, who has left the kingdom with the intention
OF remaining in the United States and Europe for
some years. Their onerous and arduous duties
have been performed is satisfactory and able
manner.
On the first day of April, 1870, there were present
in the Hospstal thirty two men and women, and
there have been admitted since that date forty three
persons making total of seventy five under treat
meut during the last two years; of these nineteen
have died, twenty three have been discharged as
cured ore has escaped, leaving the number at pres
snt in the Asylum on the Slst of March of this year
hirty-two patients
Tabular statements II the nationality the in.
mates committed since April LIST, $50, and present