The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1877-12-15
TIE PACIFIC
SATURDAY Y. DECEMBER Is.
White Lepers in San Francisco.

A PEST BROUGHT FROM CHINA-vIsIT TO AN AZ
FLICTED WRETCH.
The alarming fact that leprosy does exist to
some extent among white persons in San Fran
cisco was only discovered about one week ago.
The majority of our best and Oldest resident
physicians have never heard of a case of white
leprosy in this city with the exception of that
of Asia Bates, formerly Register in Bankruptcy,
who died about three years ago. He contracted
the disease in the Sandwich Islands. and there
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 who have caught the affection from
the Chinese. Hearing that such was the case
a Mail reporter yesterday called on a physician,
who, he was informed, had been treating three
cases of white leprosy within a week. The doc
tor admitted that he had three cases Of leprosy
under his care at the present time. He said
that a white woman, the first patient, came to
him a week ago. She had been suffering for
the last two years, and spots had broken out
all over her body. On Thursday last a man
called at his office and stated that he had been
afflicted with leprosy for eighteen months, and
would like to have some medicine to ameliorate
his suferings.
VISITING a LEPER.
The doctor informed him that the disease was
the itching. The doctor described the man
as an intelligent fellow, and the reporter, learn
ing his address, Immediately visited him.
About half a mile on the San Bruno road a
little log hut, corresponding to the description
furnished, was espied standing alone in a large
open field. After several loud knocks the door
of the hut was opened by a short, thick set,
dark-complexioned man, with long, black shaggy
hair and coarse, flowing whiskers. On bis fore
head and around his nose were large black
spots, with scales resembling those of a fish.
His hands also were spotted and three of the
1nint NJ fha loft hand bod oIraaI- .okkaI "a
He was dressed in a dark rough suit, and his
left foot was encased in a leather bandage. When
he learned who is visitor as he looked very
much astonished, and after surveying the re-
porter for a minute he made a hasty step back
ward and said &c Surely, sir, YOU have made
a mistake you can have no business with me-
1t was some time before the man could be
convinced that the reporter had not made a
mistake, but finally. after much urging, he came
out, when the following conversation took
place -
REPoRTER-Is your name Allen?
ALLEN-It is sir. What do you wish?
REPoRTER-you called at the Office Of Dr.---last
Thursday and asked to be treated for ~leprosy,
did you not?
ALLEN-Yes, sir.
REPoRTER-Are you sure that you are afflicted
with the decease 2"
ALLEN-Yes; l have been to see several physi-
clans in the city and they all say L have the
worst form of leprosy and cannot live long.
REPoRTER-How long have you had the de-
cease?
ALLEN-Well, it has been out on my body
about eighteen months.
A TERRIBLE LOT.
REPoRTER-Do you live alone here?
ALLEN-Ies; L have lived here by myself
ever since l knew that l had it.
REPoRTER.-Have you no friends?
ALLEN-Oh, yes 1 have a wife and a family
of two children, but | never go near them, be-
cause L do not wish them to catch the disease.
Sometimes, when | am watching on the street
in town. my children see mt and L have to run
to get away from them. 1t is very hard for me
to do it, but L would do anything rather than
have them to catch it. They do not know where
[ am, but | keep track of and do all l can for
them.
REPoRrER-Wh hat is your business?
ALLEN-Before l got this l used to 60 to sea.
REPoRTER-Do you know how you caught the
disease?
CAUGHT FROM THE CHINESE.
ALIEN am not positive, but l think | do,
L put it down to the Chinese. You see, when
[ returned from my last cruise | went on a spree
and woke up the next morning in a Chinese
den.
REPoRTER-Had you ever been in a Chinese
house previous to that time?
ALLEN-No, | never was, and l would not
had been in then only for my spree.
REPoRTER-Have you been living with your
family since that time? l.
ALLEN-No; my family We're not here then,
and as soon as l found that l had the leprosy
| resolved that they never should see me again.
RoTTING AWAY.
REPoRTER-Do you suffer any pain?
ALLEN-No there is no pain, only an itching
sensation, The worst thing. about it Is that
l know that | am slowly rotting away and can
not help myself.
REPoRrER-Why do you have your left foot
wrapped in a leather bandage?
ALLEN-Because it is decaying faster than
the other and L cannot bear a shoe on it. With
a pair of pinchers 1 could take every toe off my
foot without feeling any pain.
consolation, which fell UNDECIDED upon the ears
of the unhappy wretch, withdrew and left him
alone in his misery.
There is another case of white leprosy on
Kearny street, between jackson and Pacific.
This man is broken out with scales, principally
about the throat, and he claims to have caught
it from Chinese cigars.