The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-03-22

action Will shortly be decided upon. A
suggestion of introducing the Gothen-
burg system was made in these columns,
some time ago, as a possible means OF
meeting the evil, but it was only put forth
as. one ..method, and from its results an
apparently excellent one, out OF many that
had been tried in other countries. Other
plans might be tried, and whatever they
might be, they would assuredly find the
hearty support of those who have the in
terests of this country at heart. No one
can contemplate the present condition of
affairs, without seeing that great harm is
being done, and that the ogre, who is, as
it were, preying upon the very yitals of
the population had better be fought and
killed as soon as possible. a.
4
Glancing over the remaining items in
the Interior Department the vote for the
lepers comes up for consideration This
is very important subject: in dealing
with this vote, it is incumbent on the
Legislators not to act in a niggardly spirit
and yet, on the other hand, not 10 be
needlessly lavish. The statistics upon the
number of lepers ON these islands are by
no means satisfactory; the estimates vary
considerably with the desires of those
who give them; some Will say, 1000, others
5000, and yet again the amount will vary
till 5000 is the number given. The
questionnaturally comes up, what viii be
the expense of supporting these people,
supposing that we have so large a number
to support? Taking all expenses as re
ported to last Legislature, 1T appears that
roughly, the lepers in the asylum at Molo-
kai cost this country about S65 year, per
head This calculation, however, includes
all expenses besides the bare cost of food;
charges for travelling, forss collecting, for
physicians salaries in Honolulu and so
forth. it does not include the interest upon
money expended for lands, deterioration
or buildings and so forth. which would
swell the amount very largely. Though
for bare food it may be possible to keep a
leper for say $50 year there are great
many other expenses connected with his
care. which. in off hand conversation upon
the subject may not be shewn, but which
tend to increase the amount for his keep
very considerably. People when consid-
ering the leprosy question should give
thought to this: figures given off-hand
may appear dazzling, but there is nothing
in this world SO susceptible of receiving
calm consideration as figures: put under
the cold light of analysis discrepancies
are easily seen-even by the most ordinary
intellect. E
In leprosy this country has a very serious
problem to deal with; and statesmen must
look at the practical side of the question.
If we have 5000 or even only 1900 lepers,
and these are to be supported at the ex-
pense of the State, can the country stand
the strain upon its resources? The states
man, however philanthropic his views may
be. can never let them interfere with his
duty towards the country whose interests
he is charged to guard. He cannot advo-
cate an unlimited support of these unfor
tunate people The public purse will
bear certain amount of STRAIN and no
more, and though everything should be
done that in reason can be expected. it is
to be hoped that a mistaken spirit of
philanthropy Will not rush the House into
too large an expenditure.
An item was down in the last budget for
the cure of lepers, to be paid at the rate
of $500 for each leper cured: the total
vote for this was $4,000. OF course this
human knowledge goes, never is likely to
be drawn upon. The motives which die
tated the vote were excellent; the intention
was to stimulate medical men by the hope
of reward to try and cure the fell DESTROYER
If there are 10000 to spare, however,
they might be put to better purpose
than offering them as a reward for what is
regarded as an impossIbility. Itwould be
wise to induce say two medical men of ex-
perience and thorough scientific training
to come to the islands and make a study
of the disease to supply them with the
very best instruments for carrying out
their researches. Much might be gained
from painstaking investigation of the
minutie of the disease. SNogeneral prac-
ttioner would be willing, or even If will
ing, would have the time to carry out
such line of investigation, but IN the
great cities of Europe and America such
men can be found. men who viii devote
themselves con GH,ore to such a study. who
will get hold Of q little clue and will hang
ena9 il and follow 1t up patiently for
years if need be. CpOn asuch men the
sum of $4,000 might be well spent. and
If no results came, we would at least have
the satisfaction of knowing that we had
attempted to grapple- with the secrets of
the disease in scientific manner
Our neighbor of thelF @ A. has strofit,
and decided views upeA the expenditure
which is required for the Board of Health,
and probably as large b sum will be asked
fer by the Cabinet as he .desires-an6
doubtless the management of it Will be
put under his control All viii be agreed
that much shall be done to improve the
medical attendance of INDECENT people
throughout the group, and no nan will
stand IN the way Of such people being
properly taken care Of Again medical
facilities should be at hand for those who
can pay for them, in the shape OF resident
physicians, and the government should