The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1878-06-08

leprosy in Hawaii, contagion is apparently remote, and
illustration of this statement. He has been in the settlement
a little over five years, and has mingled with and served the
lepers under the most revolving circumstances, and yet he Is
as sound in health as when he first arrived; yet it may be, as
he sadly supposed, that the seeds of leprosy are implanted in
his system. Another instance of apparent non-contagiousnes
is the case of Luka Kaaukau, a healthy woman, who has been
living with her leprous husband Hao for twelve years in the
frghtful illustrations of the erosions of leprOsy, as he has not
a Joint of a finger or toe left,-his limbs presenting only dis
torted, liberated stumps, and he is only a helpless living
trunk of a man. For over four years the devoted wife has
put every particle of his food into his mouth. He appeared
Committee about himself and his fellow sufferers. He said
that many lepers in the settlement would have persisted ere
child, husband and wife, brother and sister, and between
friend and friend. He had wanted his wife to abandon his
wretched carcass long ago, as she was sound and WELL and
might go back to her friends; but Luka said that she was
content and happy to wait on the man she loved until his last
moments, rather than go back to her friends; and your Com
mittee take pleasure, whilst noting this instance OF non-con-
tagiousness, to place it on record also, as an illustration Of
fidelity and devotion in Hawaiian character.
The discussion of the contagion or non7contagion, and
other features of the disease Of leprosy are probably not
within the province of the duties of your Committee but
they will refer to one subject in this connection, and often
commente upon, and that is the health of animals, espe-
cial1y dogs intimately associated with the people. AT the
Leper Settlement, your Committee made frequent request to
have any sick dogs brought before them, but notwithstand-
ing much enquiry none were produced and your Committee
will say that of the large number of dogs, they saw running
about the Settlement, all seemed in a very plump condition,
and very healthy, and all the other animals, horses and cat
tie, running on the lands OF kalawao seemed III superior con-
dition.
The question of contagion is rendered all the more
difficult Of solution in view of the apparently healthy
e e5de Ann tw99nty-eE5g dHe in p, ALL rb born c in the Settlement absnrnnj
in a hut, a leprous woman named Makahiki, who
case, and yet had her fine, healthy child living with her, a
bright looking little boy about two years of age. Her hus-
Dand, keom kahiap0' a healthy intelligent looking man.
said he had accompanied his wife on account of his great love
years, and would remain with her as long as she had breath.
Your Committee are happy to notice this as another instance
among Hawaiians of fidelity and devotedness, such as is an
honor to the human race.
The situation and salubrty of this Settlement are no doubt
all that could be desired for well people, and can be made
subserVient to the comfort and welfare of invaids. But your
Committee see clearly that many reforms are needed. Some
o these reforms they have pointed out IN connection with thG
dwellings,, and food and clothing OF the lepers, and medical
provision for the sick in other respects. And in addition,
they wish to speak of reform needed in the distribution of
food. AS stated to them, and as witnessed by their own OBJ,
servation, feeble lepers with eXcOriated feet have to travel
Is delivered from a boat on a shingy beach, often difficult OF
approach on account of the high surf which beats upon the
northeast coast of Molokai. This difficulty in distribution
might, to all appearances, be readily obviated at small ex-
pense by the employment of pack animals, and OF a wagon or
OK cart: And sick people should not be obliged to expose
themselves as was stated to your Committee, to the frequent
rains of this Settlement, whilst waiting for their ration of taro
or of beef And in no instance should the meat of animals
which have died by accident be served out to invalids-as
stated by Kekanehailua, and confirmed by Father Damien.
were 'I driven ~ oye snd the qn mass i in the ibI%fs into ~ the meS Settlement Fl Q u"sUto
twenty head were killed by falling over precipices, and that
the meat of the carcasses brought in from the ravnes was
served out to the lepers. AS great complaint was made about
want of light and cleanliness, your Committee would rec
ommend that lamp oil, and soap, whitewash and disinfectants,
should be served out to these poor people gratuitously.
And your Committee are Of opinion that all this can be ac-
y HlpuSneuW Without muC increase OF IL appropriation. Inc
Nation has thus far cOmbatted this great maady i'll a brave
and generous spirit, and it must continue to do so, at the
same time, that it looks to the Government to bring about all
those reforms, which shall prevent the unnecessary dragging
away of people from their homes, and shall furnish to the I'M
fortunate lepers living at Kalawao all the necessaies and COM
forts for which their humane and generous countryman have
provided.
The accompanying physicians after careful examination
and enquiry in respect to two reputed cases of leprOsy, a man
named Kapapu and also a woman, ordered their return to
the hospital in Honolulu, to be subject to a further proba-
tionary treatment.
Two foreign, white lepers live at the Settlement,-W.
Ostrom, about So years ofage, native fthe State ofNew York,
and Joe Pickford, about so years of age, native of Cheshire,
photographed, see Nos. 8 and @ to furnish information to
the medical student, and displayed a very earnest and iDteIi-
gent spirit in respect to his sad situation. He formerly re-
sided in Lahaina, and for many years was employed in the
hospital at that place, and for some time he had several lepers
living with him, treating them for cure; and possibly con-
tracted the disease during this intimate association.
The government of this Settlement is at present rather
anomalous, and this is a matter, which in the opinion of your
Committee should command the most earnest attention of the
Assembly. AS according to the present laws, the regulations
of the Board of Health have the force of Statutes, it will be
seen, that the administration of the affairs Of the Settlement,
may combine judicial and executive. powers, and the Superin-
tendent of the Board might according to law dispose of not
only the liberty of a subject at his will, but possibly of life,
if he deemed it necessary and had the royal sanction. These
great powers and prerogatives may not have been abused
but your Committee are of opinion, that the authority of the
laws of the Kingdom should be directly represented in this
Settlement by regularly appointed officers or 1t might be
more expedient that the Superintendent Of the Settlement,
should be invested with the powers of a magistrate, and be
assisted by a proper executive. Hawaiian lepers, like all
other Hawaians are law abiding in their disposition and