The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-09-18
To The Editor of the Pacific Commercial Advertiser:

TO The Editor of the Pacific Commercial ADVERTISE:
Sm-About four years ago in company with a
relative of hers, | had occasion to visit "a native
woman in this city who was IA leppr from herself,
in presence of a respectable witness. | obtained
the following history Of her case She had been
examined by ii physician, (not long since connect
ed with the Board OF Heulth) and was pronounced
by him, seven years prior to my interview, to have
been II leper. During all this time she had resided
almost constantly in Honolulu. where she owns
property, and had received prolonged treatment
at his hands had remained free to go aud come
when and where she pleased ard if 1 am not
much mistaken still enjoys her freedom. Her
symptoms were these Slight enlargement of the
ear-lobes, cheeks both exhibiting dry and unbeal-
ing ulcers. devoid of sensibility- All parts pre-
senting the characteristic abnormal appearances
were, according to her own confession. almost
perfectly anaesihetic. Her eyes had lost in q
great measure their natural IusIre. as they also
had in IA degree, their power OF vision her eye
lids showing u strong tendency to aversion. The
voice was raucohs and denoiive OF advanced
disease. To one who has seen leprosy us it exists
here. the mere sight OF this woman would have
suggested the idea OF her being Il confirmed leper.
Another woman. said TO have been "a worse case
~ a " thl5
time. allowed to enjoy IA home among healthy peo-
pie at Waikiki. She had been a favorite retainer
of an opuient and influential native of high chief
blond.
In a populous out-country district. lives a
foreigner afflicted with true and uncombined
anae>thetic leprosy, who has scarcely u whule fn-
ger or toe left by the ravages of the disease.
whose eyes are almost sightless, and whose voice
ia aIrsoSf obol-ad u Uic oaOa hos baao I,n, too-n
to residents of the district and probably was to
the Board OF Health. A member OF that Board
visited him about a year since, (s l understand,
not for the first time} and pronounced him a hope
less leper. Several months passed away after this
examination, but the leper was not removed. and
IL to-day. | believe, is still at liberty.
In the same. district are many other bad lepers,
who make no attempt to secrete themselves. or to
avoid observation and notably there are two
boys. who when the weather permits, may almost
invariably be seen playing at marbles. or other
games. with the healthy children OF the place
One Of them has his features so distorted and
swollen by the disease, that his physiognomy
wnnld scafely be recognised as that Of a human
being.
Bnt the late Board OF Health insisted strongly
that leprosy was contagious, and never failed of a
chance to reitrrate that segregation was an abso-
lutte necessity The late Board also complained OF
great difficulties experienced in the apprehension
of lepers, whose secretion they said was aided and
by their frieHds. Would il not have
been more in season TO have complained of the
OF Capturing secretPd feprrs, when the
high wayS and by-ways had ceased To present them
lnsonght ?-when those well known to the Board,
and perfectly within their reach, bad received the
segregation deemed by them to have been so vital
to the Interests Of society generally. and to the
native population in particular?
To-day, there, are numbers of lrprrs scattered
over the country. who have been neither concealed
BY lheir friends. nor isolated by the Board. But
how singular. in contrast, has bern The rigid en-
OF the law against certain unfortunate
oreigners who had begun TO show only The pre-
nohit1ry symptoms OF the disease whose cases
we're considered as doubtful, or even non-leprous.
1y some physicians.
Honolulu. / admit. has been kept reasonably
lear !; and residents OF the metropolis. looking
pom conditions here as representative of the Wig
lence of the late Board of Health throughout the
country in the matter of isolation, find reasons to
themselves upon an eventual rid
lance from the disease but these comfortable as.
would rudely be- shaken it their observa-
Were extended 10 the out districts. Perhaps the
ate Board Of Health. with their great experience.
by This time have learned. that rank or influence
fill not prevent the spread.of disease from its vic
inns and that foreigners in the ~ineipient stages
{ i~leprasys are not more likely TO spread the
30 disease than uasiyes wAo are .afioFiag araer it
4 as gssre adg ancsd Stages They aaay also be
reed 10 tie conclusion thai hospitals. properly
onducted, for The reception Of i~neipient lepers,
Tag not be wholly without their uses. Y. ! :