The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-02-01

authorities was unknown in Earope until aboai
1895, II being generslly considered that the dis
ease was imported from kmenca by Co!aIne'
crew. Leprosy was introduced about liVO or
probably earlier; this seemed at variance with
the Doctors theories
Dr. Fitch wss of opinion that these historical
accounts were faulty; the records of those times
were obscure uIlder any circumstances. and be dld
not consider that the medical accounts of those
times were TO he depended upon. Most of the
medical gentleman took part Conversation fol
lowed in which M. Armstrong requested the
gentlemen to me more directly to the points un-
der discussion.
Dr. Fitch utinued. He believed all natives
had syphilis. cut of Ito cases which came before
hin dally. fOui -hiths reported themselves improV
ing under ahi-syphiliuc treatment. He con
siGsred that j. leper improved under antl-syphi-
htic treasm- II was fair proof that the patlrul
had syphstis. About Honolulu there were "a
of lsprosy, go of these were at large IN the
town. He had that many under treatment. There
were az least 2SO1 lspers IN the group or abou
l IN - cf the native population.
MIR. Armstrong asked II DIR. Fitch believed that
eprosy, assuming !; TO be syphil,s, could lie eurcd
DR.. Fitch. The symptous can he driven back
during has stage the patient could be At large, ne
harm would resnit from his coming IN contact
with his fellOwmeEi. In reply to Dr. McAlboii
the Doctor SAID that he did not consider iepruSy
contagious when there were no tubercies, no ans
! thesia, even though the mucous membrane was
affected tie thought leprOsy was only contiguous
10 limited numher. there are hundreds OF lep7rs
.
were It very contagious there wouid not bd an IN
affected native IN the group. lie did not eoisidei
the old system 4 good one; IN fact II was failure
I his idesl vas 10 try something new, We ought Il
Z have hospitals set up ON All the isl.sndS; tht
doctors should be directed DO their duty; theii
I duty vas to treat the HawaIans with anti-syphi
I htic medicines. The patients IN the hospitals
I might he allowed to 20 after thei- symptoms had
given way - treatment, say after SIX months
Ne should attempt 20 win ltpers by love instead
/ Of dealing with them by system of coercion.
: Some general conversation ensued. DIR. Roger.
/ making some structures the present law.
T DIR. Fitch stated that he considered segregation
/ necessary IN all cases Of confirmed leprocy.
/ Dr. Sransruyald pressed DR.. Fitch ON this point
/ and the latter saIU emIhatleally that ali suci
! cases must be segregated.
/ The question was thea put whether DR.. Fitch
! considered leproSy curab,e. DIR. Stangenwald auc
others pointed out that there was an idea among
{ the natives that Dr. Fitch could cure them
/ Dr. Fitch. ! have never told any native that
[ l could cure him. I do not think that leprosy can
. be entirely cured. Later he said 1 tell tht
natives tn..t they have syphilis, If they wish 4
avoid leprusy they must take antl-syphilltc treat
/ Inent. / do not tell them can cure thein.
in the course OF conversation which followed II
I was agreed thst number OF lepers should be
picked out fer special Treatment All the medical
I fraternity should be invited 10 Inspect them.
/ report upon the results Of the treatment to bt
/ take photographs of the cases once a month. Mr
I Armstrong thanked the gentleman for their pre-
/ seucr, ami iliv nceting brOAe up.
Dr. EItch has looked over the above report ans
states that II Is correct. lie would wish however
| u amend his statement about the symptoms %
leprUSy being amsHjaole to treatment by insert
4 InS the words, " IN a proportion OF cases