The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-12
"IM' SHEE! I'M SHEE r.
WHITE LEPERs IN SAN FRANCIsCo-A PEST
BROUGHT FROM CHINA-vIsIT TO AN AZ
FI,ICTEr, wRETcu


FLIcTED WRETCH.
From the San Francisco Mail, Nov. Al
The alarming fact that leprosy does exist to some
extent among white persons in San Francisco
only discovered about ago. The majority Of
our best and oldest resident physicians have never
heard OF case OF white lcprosy IN this city with tho
exception OF that OF Asha Bates formerly Register In
Bankruptcy, who died about three years ago. He con-
traced the disease in the Sandwich Islands, and thero
fore the presence OF the Chinese has not alarmed the
doctors In regard to this curse. They have yet to
learn that there are several white lepers In our
midst VINO have caught tho affection from the Chi
nese. Hearing that sucn was The case Mai reporter
yesterday called on a physician, who, he was in
formed had been treating three OF white ieprosy
within o woek. The doctor admitted that he had
three cases Of eprosy Under his care at the present
time. He said that white woman, the first paiIent,
came 10 him week ago. She nad been sun ering Tor
the last Two years and Spots had broken out ali over
her body. On Thursday last man called at his Office
and stated that he had been afflicted with eprosy Tor
eighteen MONTHS and would like 70 have some medi.
nnc 10 ameiiorate his sudsrings
LEPER.
The doctor informed him that the disease was In
urable, but gave HIM some drug to relieve the Itch
ing. The doctor described the man intelligent
ieow and The reporter learning his address,, imme-
dately visited him.
About half mile on the S.n Bruno road little log
hut corresponding TO the description furnished. was
sspied standing alone in large open field Alter sew
eral loud knocks door OF the hut opened by
short thick set rk-com pie xionsd man, with long,
black, shaggy hair ana coarse, flowing whiskers. On
his forehead and around his nose were largo black
spots, with scales resembling those OF fish. HIS
hands also spotted and three OF the JOINS ON the
left hand had already rottod OF. He was dressed in
dark, roueh SUIT and his lett loot was encased Ia
leather bandage. When be learned who his visitor
was he looked very much astonished and alter sur
veying the reporter ter minute he made hasty step
back ward ana SAID :-"Sursly, sir, yOu have made
mistake: you can have NO business with me-"
that the reporter had made mistake, out finally,
alter much urging, he came out, when The following
conversation took place.
REPokTEk-ls your name Allen2
ALLEN-lt Is, sir. WHAT do you wish
REPoRrER-You called at the Office Of DR.. - last
Thursday and asked 10 be treated Tor ieprosy, did
ALLES-Yes, sir.
REPoRrER-Are you sure that you are afllicted with
the discaeeY ''
ALLES-Yes; have been to see several physicians
In the Guy ana they all say have tho worst form Of
leprosy and cannot live long.
kkpoRrEg-How long have you had the discaseY
ALLES-weli IL has been out on my body about
eighteen months
A TERRIBLE LOT
REPoRTER--Do you i've alone herca
ALLss-Yes; nave lived here by myself ever since
| knew that had IT,
REroRrEk-Havc you no frendsS
ALLES-Oh, yes; l have wiie and family OF TWO
children, bat never 60 near Thorn, because do not
wish them TO catch the disease. Sometimes. when
watching on the street in town, my children
me aud have TO to get away from them Ii is
very hard for 10 do II, but | would do anything
rather than have them catch II. They do not know
where a but keep track Of and do all can Tor them.
REPORrER-What Is your bus ness
ALLEN-Belore got this used 10 go TO sea.
REroRTEa-Do you know how you caught the dis
ease2
CAUGHT FROM CHINESE.
ALIEN am not positive but 1 think do put
II down TO The Chinese. You see, when l returned
from my last went a spree and woke up the
next morning in q Chinese den.
REPORTER Had you ever been In Chinese house
evious to that timer
ALLES-No, never was, and would not have been
then only Tor my spree
REroRTER-Have you been living with your family
that timer
ALLEs-No; my family were not hero then, ana as
on as found That had the leprosy resolved that
never should see me again.
RorTING AWAY
.'oRTER--Do you suffer any pain2
.ES-No; there is no pain, only an itching SEN
!. Tho worst thing about IL is that know that
- slowly rottlng away and cannot help my self
REpoRrnR-why DO you have your left foot wrapped
leather banaagef
sLLES-Bccause IL is decaying faster than the other
cannot bear a shoe on It, With pair oil pinch
sould take overy toe of my foot without feeng
in.
reporter, after offering lew words OF consola-
ahich fell unhecded upon tho ears Of the ut-
wretch, withdrew anu left him alone In his
Ii re Is another case OF white leprosy on Kcarny
treet, between jackson and Pacific THIS man ia
roken with scales, prnci pally about the throat
nd he claims 10 have caught IL IRON smoking use
igars