The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-07-12

Mn. EDITOR IL have been frequently asked by
some friends to write some information or other about
leprosy, and the action Of the Board Of Health.
We always thought that the least talk about the
subject the better; action was the thing needed in
presence of the alarming spread Of the disease Of late
years. l will explain what the action of the Board
has been now that the painful part Of its duties is
almost at a close.
How sad these duties have been, my colleagues
and myself only know. The influences brought 20
bear upon us have been numerous. Prayers, threats,
and worse have been resorted 10. We may boldly
say that no consideration Of fortune. rank or nation
atty has arrested us, and our task has been achieved
to the best of our ability.
Many a time our hearts were bleeding. I for N.Y.
self, as a medical man, have been far from coming
in contact with the pleasantest features Of humanity;
well, | never in my life had to witness more painful
scenes of physical and mental suffering.
On the whole, the natives have behaved very well.
The poor lepers have shown courage, as have their
friends also, but the amount Of concealed suffering
left behind by the energetic measures OF the Board.
God only knows. Let natives and foreigners know
that we have had our full share of sorrow. We must
also render full justice to His Majesty. Not in one
case has he tried 10 interfere with the action OF the
Board, even if a friend or even a relative had to be
sent away.
Since the first Of March, | have examined over
one thousand people. Four hundred and ten cases
have been sent TO Molokai, 240 men and 40 women,
all natives and half-whites, with the exception Of six
foreigners, one American, one Frenchman, one Eng
lishman and three Cinnamon. In no case has a
relative or friend been allowed TO follow the lepcr.
The number on Mookai now is about 800, say q
little over 2 per cent. of the population.
We may positively declare that by this time there
are not over fifty cases ut large in the Hawaiian King
dom. They will be gradually discovered. Some
cases are sure to make their appearance for the next
few years, but we hope that If We do not thoroughly
eradicate the disease, we shall keep IL under such
control that it will cease 10 be a cause OF depopuIa-
ton. Now allow me a few remarks about the disease.
Is leprosy infectious or even contagious In the true
sense of the word; that is, by contact mere and
simple? Iemphatically say no.
| am supported in that opinion by the whole
medical world, and by personal experience.
Leprosy cannot be communicated like cholera,
yellow fever, smallpox or typhoid fever.
But provided there is a predisposition ia a person,
that person may contract the disease by various
means disqualification smoking out of the same pipe,
eating or drinking with the leper, :. and 10 forth.
Therefore there is no danger for the foreign popu-
l~ation, and the spread Of the disease Of late years
should not destroy in any way the universal reputa-
ton Of our most healthy climate. As far as tho
native race is concerned. it is quite different.
The promiscuous habits Of the natives, and their
renowned hospitality are such, that they are pretty
sure to catch the least contagious of diseases.
and thorough isolation, as the Board
understands it, and is carrying il out, will be one of
the most efficient means OF arresting the progress Of
the disease.
The most obvious predisposing causes are, syphilis
and its nearest cousin ~scrofnla, also hereditary. A
want Of variety in the diet, mostly the use Of salt
provisions, habitation in i'll ventilated OF dark houses,
may also be blamed. The foreigner as a rule is not
exposed to such influences, or rather TO q less degree
than the natives.
In fact, leprosy is not only a skin disease, it is
what we call in medical parlance a c~dclezi0. This
III "a al a. "A. a Ill
bid influence.
Syphilis, ~scrofulA. intermittent fever, generate also
that peculiar state Of the blood which produces
cGcherid. Persons already suffering from one ca
cheEia, will be more liable to suffer from any other.
l always abstained heretofore from expressing my
personal views ON the subject, bat am confident
that they will be shared by those who have in the
study Of the disease gone beyond the range Of super
fetal observation. The public health as far as
foreigners are concerned is perfectly safe.
To conclude. | will state that a great deal has to
be done yet. The Board will have 20 devise pre-
ventive and sanitary measures. without which the
disease would not be eradicated.
Also impress upon the natives q salutary dread Of
the disease, so that no case should be concealed.
Use the utmost exertions to rescue those cases in
Molokai who might perhaps not be beyond recovery.
A great deal has been written lately in the local
papers about the treatment or cure Of leprosy. As
the medical man Of the Board | consider Il my duty
70 give a general answer.
If ~incipient cases can be cured and my impress
sion is that they may in some cases-let the public
well understand that nothing will be neglected.
The treatment at all events must last for months,
or even years, and could not be carried out before
isolation was completed.
1t will have to be discussed with my brother prac-
titioners in Honolulu, and will be openly and faith
fully executed.
The medical world is sufficiently we'll represented
in Honolulu by men of oil nationalities, without any
necessity for US to seek for foreign assistance. Any
medical man who respects himself will never say, CT
will cure leprosy under the tropics" He will say.
al may cure it," and then he will use known RENE
dies and expose his plan Of treatment.
1 say in full confidence, that what the combined
efforts of the medical men of Honolulu will not do,
need not be tried by anybody else. !, for my OWN
share, have little confidence in those who either offer
to sell their secrets or require inducements, without
which we are willing to try our best.
1 thank you, Mr.. Editor. for the valuable space
you have been kind enough TO allow me to take ~
in your paper.
Believe me to be yours. most Obedisntly,
q. TRoUssEAU,
Physician Of the Board OF HEALTH
rI---I.r. Ii Qt 1912