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

aethouties was unknown in Enrope until about
lSs5, II being gensrelly considered that the dis
ease was imported fron America BY Colnrabt 3
crew. Leprosy Was introduced about 100 or
probably earlier, this seemed az variance with
the Doctors theories.
DR.. Fitch WsS OF opinion that these historical
accounts were faulty; the records Of those times
verp obscure under any circumstances. and he did
not CONSIDER thai the recical accounts Of those
times were % be depended upon Most Of the
medical gentleman took part. Conversation fol-
lowed in which Sir. Armstrong requested the
gentlemen to 'ue more directly 10 the points IN
der discussion.
DR.. Fitch atinued. He belieged all natives
had syphilis, cut Of Ito cases which came before
him daily fors- ffths reported themselves improv-
ing under Srii-sypeilIric Treatment he con
sidered that il a leper improved under anti-syphi-
itie treaifne It was fair proof that the pa,lsut
had syphilis About Honolulu there were 40
cases of ieprgsy, go Of these were at large IN the
town He had that many under treatment There
were At lesst 200 leptrs in the group or about
in ~ Of the native population.
Mr.. Armstrong asked If DE-. Fitch believed that
leproSN, assuming II 10 be syphilis could be eurv
DR.. Fitch. The symptoms Can be driven back;
during this stage the patient eoud be at largr, no
BARN would result from his coming IN contact
with his fellownen- In reply to DR.. Mchlbbln
the Doctor said that be did not consider leproSy
contagious when there were no tubereleS, no ans
thesia, even though the mucous membrane was
affected. Tie thoaght leprosy was only contagious
TO limited number; there are hundreds OF leparS
at large, and with the habits Of the Havsiians,
were 1t very contagious there would not be an TN
affected native IN the group He did not consider
the old system good one. IN fact II was failure,
his idea was 10 try something new, we ought To
have hospitals set up on ali the Islands; the
doctors should be directed 10 do their duty; their
duty WAS to treat the Hawaiians with antl-syphi-
litic medicine5- The patients IN the hospitals
might lie allowed to 60 after their symptoms had
given way 20 treatment, say after six munths-
We should attempt 70 win lepers by love instead
Of dealing with them by system of coercion
Some general eOnyersatiVn ensued. Dr.. Rogers
making sone structures on the present law.
DR.. Fitch stated that he considered Segregation
necessary all cases of confirmed ieprocy.
DR.. Stangenxald pressed DR.. Fitch ON this point
and the latter Sald emphatleally that all such
cases must De segregated.
The question was then put whether DR.. Fitch
considered leprosy durable DR.. StAngenvald and
others pointed out that there was idea among
the natives that Dr. Fitch could cure them.
DR.. Fitch. have never told any native that
could cure him / do not think that leprosy can
natives that they have syphilis, # they wish to
avoid ieprosy they must take anti-syPhihtc treat
msnt. DO not tell them can cure them.
In the course of conversation which followed, 1t
agreed that number of leperS should be
picked out for special treatment. All the medical
fraternity should be invited 10 inspect them. A
report upon the results of the treatment TO be
given AZ future date. DIR. Hutchinson offered TO
take photographs of the cases once month. Mr.
Armstrong. thanked the gentlemen for their pre-
sencr, tue meeting broke mp.
DF. Fitch has looked over the above report and
states that it is correct. de would wish however
10 amend his statement about the symptoms of
leprOsy being alne1dable treatment by insert
ing the words, in proportion of cases