The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1881-02-05

calisthenic exercise. [ regret they were not
photographed before beginning the treatment. I
feel confident that if the treatment Is extended for
a period of three months that the relief afforded
to the intolerable itching and the retention of the
urinary secretion (~concomitants in the disease)
Will inspire a renewal OF hope, remove the restless
dependency and insomnia so exhausting to their
vital forces.
have sufficient oil on hand to make the expert
ment with the cases selected. The patients out
eide of the Hospital hearing of the relief afforded
to those who have been using the oil, swarm in
numbers to the door of the DIspensary asking for
a daily ration of both mixture and ointment Just
to try once. They chiefly complain of the Psoriasis
or itch peculiar to the disease the absence of a
microscope to determine it's parasitical or fungoid
character. prevents my suggesting a better treat
ment for this local trouble. but as the oil has
acted so well shall not look farther TO fnd a
more effective remedy. | have not as yet noticed
the sypmtomatic fever incidental to leprosy, not
appropriately called leprous fever by DR.. N. B..
Emerson, as 1t has not as yet occurred epidemIcally
since my coming to the Settlement, though / have
witnessed u sporadic case in which the symptoms
partially simulated these Occurring in Intermittent
lever, especially the diaphoretic stage. l have
not been able to record the temperature in these
cases, having lost my fever thermometer upon my
trip to the other side of the Island. The settle
ments frO:u u Kaunakakai" to - Halawa' were
visited by me and | was forced to abandon for the
time being the journey from ." Halawa to
NaIlau and PelekIuu, owing to the high surf.
Acting under your suggestion to visit the settle
ments upon the south side, with a view TO give
me a change Of air and scene, to vary the mOnot-
Ony Ot kalawaO life, | accepted your proposition.
In a recent letter forwarded to your Excellency,
| stated that the only relief from the constant
and active duty required OF the medical officer
resident here. was Il leave of absence and rest
every three or four months If i'll health required it.
This Is no sinecure position when you are acting
the apothecary and physician for six hundred
and nine patients. especially with this disease.
There l. an abundance Of work to be done. a
conscientious desire on the part of the Physician
to afford relief To the many who seek his aid, is
apt to stimulate him to overwork. | suggest
that L leave of absence should be granted at the
discretion of the medical officer who is supposed
to append his reasons for making the request, lest
he may fall a victim in time. | must confess L
am unable TO withstand the constant drain made
upon me without sOme relief TO this firing duty
and scene.
should feel as though | had done an injustice
to my feelings were | to neglect to mention still
further the name Of the Rev. Mr.. Damien in con-
nection with this Settlement. By his self sacrifice
in his calling apparently obliviOus to the surround
ing dangers of a life among these people, he seems
ever active IN the performance OF his spiritual
duties, and is constantly exhibiting his charity
among his congregation. The kindly influence
he exercises among them, restraints their passions,
and preserves Il morale commendable to the zeal
of Il good man.
Before closing this desultory scroll upon the
subject OF Leprosy in it's most general aspect,
prevented as [ have been by lack of opportunity
to note accurately the passing changes in this
disease, or to record its most important character
istics eliminating therefrom the scientific knowl-
edge which should attach itself to the observa-
tiOns of those whose long residence, intimate
relationship. and study, befiC them best to speak
intelligcntly and practically upon this subject, |
would recall to mind the Importance of providing
the necessary apparatus to investigate or ut least
to make tile attempt IN secure Il prize whose value
would prove an inestimable boon to this country,
redOundIDg not only to its prosperity, but adding
another gem to the diadem of Hawaii nei en-
riching the literature of medical science, and
leaving upon the scroll of fame IL revered and
illustrIous name. Who'knOws but that some un-
pretentious man of Hawaiian nativity. imbued
with a rational enthusiasm, together with a love
of Investigation, who hitherto having been denied
through a cruel fortune, the advantage of a liberal
education in medicine, may yet with this brilliant
opportunity in the future, herald to the world.
the successful treatment of Leprosy.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathOmed caves of ocean bear
Full many a flower is born to blush unseen.
And waste its sweetness on the desert air"
L claim your indulgence in Offering this report,
having repeatedly a%rrogated to myself the many
difficulties attendant upon one whose time at the
Settlement has been Of too short duration to adj
nit ofan exhaustive disquisition being made upon
this grave question. second only in Importance to
the commercial prosperity of the Hawaiian nation
which If not already in conflict with the future
welfare of this Government it Will be shortly il
effective means tendin. towards its arrest and
isolation cannot he secured.
| have the honor TO be: very respectfully your
ObedIent servant,
CHAs. NELSON, NJ. D.,
Resident Physician.