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

F-aales died = :" So
coo
NaLs3 older than A! " outside Hospital Jan l 1851 80
MALES IN Hospital Al
600
Males less than l y born in settlement Jan l 80
Ma.ss less than I year died :
gemaining ,
Total Lepers and oGsprings IN settlement Jan 1 1881 COZ
It will be observed that / have embraced the
entire summary of the year with my quarterly
report. The mortality OF the preceding year was
VIZ January, % February, IL March, %;
April, 10 May, s June, 20 July, IA; August,
10, September. l3 October, II November, IL;
December, 20 total oil. That for 1880 -
January, IL: February, 10 March, 8 April,
. May, 40 June, IS July, 7 : August. II;
September, 7 October, 4 ; November, 5 Deem
Der, 8 total l56.
Since coming TO the Settlement TO reside as the
Medical Superintendent, my attention has been
chIehydirected to an Improvement IN the HYGIENE
condition OF these people the first and most I'm
pOrtant disideratum in the treatment Of this
disease, alike applicable to all others. The work
has been slowly progressing, though a marked
change Is already noticeable IN many, attributa-
bic TO the patient and persuasive influence prac-
tised. The reluctance which is manifested by
the Leper TO make any exertIOn even for his
benefit, Is readily explained as one of the leading
features IN tie progress of the disease. The
mental dependency Is more or less a constant
factor in causing debility, and the separation
from his relatives and friends, contribute IN no
email measure to add to his misery. Neglected,
Stunned and forgotten by every one, HE only
refuge is his cOuntry's protection, and nobly
l must say has the Hawaiian Government respond
ed, through its Legislative Congress to the relief
Of these helpless and unfortunate Outcasts. Pro-
viding them with an abundant supply OF fresh
meats, with Il variety of other food such az their
habits Of lie prescribe. namely. Iaro, pai-aI and
fish they have in addition thereto rice, sugar
and hard bread served them weekly; whilst their
monthly allowance OF coal oil. salt aud soap. cum
pletes their ration lIst besides they are prIvI-
legged % cultivate any esculent plant, fruit and
tobaccu To raise pork. poultry &c, 10 engage in
every industrial TursUit conducive To their physI-
cal Improvement and comfort. By these several
vOcati0us they are enabled (when able To labor).
~ muke sufficient for their support, whilst the
right conceded them to commute their ratiOns OF
paIaI or It's equivalent, provides them with means
20 obtain many needful articles from time 10 time
as their necessities require. The supply OF food
and clothing - regularly issued to them, no ex-
ceptiOn can be made as To the kind and quality OF
both. The Government has established n general
store Tor the purpose OF supplying tucT HduL5-
This store is well stocked with goods obtained
from the general trade in Honolulu, and retailed
at current Wholesale prices The hospital Is
filed with it's usual number OF patients mainly
those who are unable tO assist themselves any
longer. through blindness and the loss Cf their
fingers. The buildings are thoroughly Tolieed b-
weekly. the floors are scrubbed end alternately
disinfected by carhsilic acid solution and chloride
or lime. whenever the weather Is favorable j
would hereby remark that IN my next requisition
for supplies I will make mention OF n chemi-
cal disInfectant much cheaper than carbOlIc acid,
equally as effective, and possessing none OF the
disagreable properties peculiar % that drug l
will also suggest that the Hospital Buildings need
better ventilation, though the winter season is too
far advanced to admit OF that work being done
Buildings are constantly being erected for addition
al accommodations by those able TO make the
desirable change, from the rude habitatIOns con-
structed Of stones loosely thrown together, having
matched roofs for their covering The general
stimulus impaired by this branch OF industry
creates a rivalry To excel in Hawaiian arehItec-
ture.
The water supply has been interrupted for
several DAYS past owing to the heavy r%ainfalls
washing the hIll sides. The delay consequent
upon repairing and cleaning the piping has re-
suited ~ much discomfort To the patients especially
those who are using the OleO-rcsinOus substance
known in commerce as Gurgun Oil and highly
extolled, when combined with 8 Lime Water by
British Army Surgeons stationed In the Madras
Presidency, India. The specific remedies from
the foreign countries Of China and Japan, which
have been IN use for some time at the settlement,
have in some instances ameliOrated the condition
of q few. However upon the evidence Of the Rev.
Mr.. Damien. the Catholic Priest resident here,
who states that he has seen a gradual improve
ment made among those who have taken the medI-
cine without interruption, Exceptionally IN those
cases when an IutercuFTent functional disturbance
has supervened causing Its suspensiOn) bringing
relief to these troubles. / cannot speak OF their
theapeutic value, not having at my command n
record Of those who have taken the remedies
The absence Of a medical officer for a period oil
three months prior to my arrival at the Settle
ment, NAV account for their Inconstant use IL
would be indiscrect to condemn their therapeutic
properties upon the hearsay evidence OF those
who L know would neglect TO use them save
under the personal supervision of tie medical
otheer- There has apparently been a change IN
the condition OF some Of those who have taken
these remedies, especially the " Hoanguan Pills,
the patients acknowledge having been improved
by their use- Whether it is one OF those event
tut periods so common to the transitional stages
IN the progress OF this malady which oftentImes
misleads one and offers a pieasurable surprise to
the imagInatiOn-that the disease has yielded 10
treatment-Or due TO climatic influences coupled
with an improved Hygiene, 1 am unable to
reply, my observation has been insufficient to
admit OF my advancing any tenable theory to &C
count for these appearances so suddenly changed.
Theories have been advanced BY many scientific
men respecting It's etiology, but none have as yet
aceOuntedSOr this strange yet phenomenal disease
i entertain the view that il is closely akin to the
malariae to which it bears many symptoms in
common, as met with in the Hawaiian Islands, il
seems to be inseparably connected with the
Syphilitic d~Iathesis, so commonly met with by
tns busy praetihoneer. Wer it not for the