The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1882-03-01
DR.. Fitch and the Lerrosr

EDIToB GAZETTE: Having carefully read the ar
ticle ON leprosy and its management in your last
issue, desire t enter my emphatic protest against
so much Of il as relates to Dr. Fitch and his posi-
ton in the premises. l protest against the spirit
and tone of your article, because consider il IN
generous and unfair and protest against its spe-
cific allegations, because they are in several i'm
| pOrtant particulars, incorrect. | do not wish TO
accuse you of Intentional misrepresentation, but
you were present at the meeting in the Interior
Office when DR.. Fitch stated his views at consider
able length / am at loss to understand how
| you could possibly have been led to make the
stiltesments you did concerning him. DR.. Eitcn
having in last Saturdays Prsss corrected what he
deemed the most important of these errors. l
need not enlarge upon them at this time. desire
however to endorse in the fullest manner, DR..
FItchs statement as to what actually did take
place on that occasion. remember particularly
the emphasis with which he brought his fist down
on the table as he declared that he would-to use
his own eIpression-segregdte cUsTg last one of
those having the disease. 1t is true that Dr. Fitch
does object to the WaHRcr IN which the policy of
segregation has been carried out. II would be but
little to the credit OF either his head or his heart if
he did not. The manner in which the lsprosy law
has been executed in years past Is simply an out
rage In fact the whole sanitary administration
Of the Kingdom so far back as my personal knowl-
edge extends, has been characterized not only bya
lack of humanity, but by lack of common sense.
If You care TO deny these statements am fully
prepared TO prove them. DR.. Fitch as an iutelli-
candid and Independent man, he speaks his mind
about them. Hence the intense luminosity on the
part of the old medical ring and their supporters.
i am sorry to see the GAZETTE constituting itself
the organ and mouthriece of this interest. Speak
ing of the leprosy hospital You say, money is
being poured out and more Is called for
The public should understand that the only
money poured out or called for IN connection
with the leprosy hospital is the money that was
appropriated by the last Legislature for that spe-
cifc purpose. And of that money only aJout one
qHurfey has been thus far spent. The policy of
branch leprosy hospitals, whether wise or not did
not originate with DR.. Fitch, and he is in nowise
responsible for it The above appropriation was
made before be even thought of coming to this
country. The hospital having been established
and DR.. Fitch put in charge, lepers are nov COM
ing forward of their own accord by the dozen and
score, and begging to be taken into the hospital
for treatment The hospital is full and cannot re-
ceive them, and yet with threequarters Of the ap-
preparation uneXpended, DR.. Fitch has only lust
succeeded after weeks of importantly. III obtain
ing order for its enlargement. l fail to see in
this state of things any evidence of disposition
on the part of the powers that be TO pour out
money" for any purpose connected with the lep-
rosy hospital. These matters, however. involve
questions of administration rather than of medi-
cine. The only strictly medical question on which
DR.. Fitch differs from the majority of the profess
sion here, is in holding that leprosy is a fourth
and final stage of syphilis. and this Is a question
theoretical rather than practical. The duty of the
Government IN the premises Is dependent upon
l have doubt that Dr. Fitch will in due time Law
his views before the public more fully and clearly
than can do. 1t should be remembered mean
while that he did not seek the positions he now
holds. They were offered, or rather thrust upon
him 10y His Ex. II. A. p. Carter, who induced him
to come here from Kauai for that purpose. Heis do
ing more work than all the other government doctors
put together he is striving with all his strength
% benefit the Hawaiian people he Is bringing TO
ms work not only extraordinary zeal and industry
hut intelligence and skill as we'll and finally he Is
doing all this for very inadequate compensation.
But he has committed the unpardonable sin-he
has succeeded in redeeming the government medi-
cal service from some of the well-earned udium
which has hitherto attached to it, and he has sue
ceeded Is inspiring confidence and affection among
the class for whom that service was mainly in
tended. For this be never hope to be forgiven
by those who, Notwithstanding their own cuuspic-
nous unfitness, regard the medical administration
Of the Kingdom and the profits and emoluments
herewith as their personal peruuigite
Perhaps YOU consider il better that the natives |
instead of hOcking to the Government dispensary
by hundreds for treatment, should hold them |
seves aoof as formerly and remain with their ills
Perhaps You consider IL better that |
the lepers instead of coming forward and giving |
themselves up voluntarily should continue to evade
the officers of the law, and hide away where the |
government either cannot dare not arrest them.
Perhaps you consider II better that these people |
instead of regarding the government doctor as a |
friend and protector, should continue TO regard |
lim a natural enemy as heretofore. In that |
'ase your course Is consistent AM compre- |
1enslble. If these are not your ideas. fail to see
Why You should display such conspicuous unfriend-
iness toward Dr. Fitch and use your columns the
purpose of bringing him and his work into ridicue
md contempt. DR.. Fitch being human is liable to /
TT but hardly think he is likely TO do anything I
o match the official stupidity which on the arrival
IF steamer with contagious disease on board. /
TO protect the public health by first |
ordering every one off the wharf errepf Hqtircs
md then proceeds to turn some fifty or more pas
engers from the infected ship loose to 90 where
hey please and minglc freely with our people.
C. I. RoDGEEs, NJ. D.
Our reply 10 DR.. Fitch will be found in another
column, and will serve as an answer to this COM
nunication. The copy has come in too late for us
o review it in full