Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-05-26
SATURDAY PRESS
SATURDAY. MAY %, 1871.
HltWtIItN IEPROSr.

Medicni Hndorsemcnt Of Doctor Mn0es
II the theories of Doctor Fitch respecting
the identity OF lepfosy and syphilis and the
non contagiouSness Of the former, have before
been ably answered by other writers in the
negative, the hypothesis Of identity, at least.
has certainly met at the hands Of Doctor
Mathcs blow which 1t cannot survive. II
doubt had ever existed in the minds OF this
community as to the dssimilarity of the two
diseases, tha, doub, must have been forever
set aside by his scholarly and logical treatment,
OF the subject, which appeared incur issue OF
the Iath instant. The history of the two dis.
eases are distinct, one ante. e.dating the other
by centuries nor are they pathologically more
| similar, one showing marked elective affinity
for certain structures, while the other manfes,s
its preference for those totally dissimilar.
Clinieally, too, the symptoms Of each are shown
to be widely at variance while the results Of
trcamcn, tend to establish a difference as
great as that which exists between n common
influenza and ,uberculous consumption. II
only the production of a young physician, who
has but recently come among us, the article
referred to is no less expressive of the real
views generally held by the other physicians OF
the place-nay, we might say, by all, with the
single exception Of the propounder of the ad-
verse theory. We understand that the mere
entertainment of such theory as that pro-
pounded by Doctor Fitch in regard to the
identy of the two named diseases, is in itself
matter of but little concern TO this commun-
ity. Not so, however, with the result of such
a theory, in its application to the treatment Of
lcproSy. To any one knowing that tertiary
syphilis is a non.contagious disease, and as
suming its identity with that Of leprosy, the
duty Of condemning lepers TO undergo forced
segregation would be distasteful indeed. In
fac, we can scarcely conceive how eonscien-
tious man, entertaining such a belief, could
allow himself to become instrumental in such a
work. II pay, or love of position, could in
duce him to accept such task, we might with
reasonable certainty expect to find him remiss
in the execution Of his duties. If this were not
the case, strange logical contradiction would
be presented. However the case may be- the
community, with its set views upon the ques-
ton Of contagon, born of experience and the
incuca,ions of medical men, are not prepared
to await, amid enormous risks the provings of
gosling hypothesis We are earnest in this
matter |; and feel with Doctor Mathes that
"If proper measures be taken, and this dis
sease of leprosy be banished from the Hawaiian
race, there is no reason why the star Of pros
perity should no, shine just as brightly in the
frmanent of their future as it has done in that
Of their past"
We print below an Endorsement Of the posi-
tions maintained by Doctor Mathes. 1, first
appeared in the columns of the Gazette.
We have read with pleasure the article oi
DR.. Geo. L. Mathes, in the Press of the 18th
instant, in which he ably sets forth the differ
ence between syphilis and leprosy, and in
which he gives the views Of the great patholo-
gists and eminent medical investigators Of the
present day. We cheerfully express our high
appreciation Of the article, and fully endorse
the writer's views in regard to the non-identity
Of the two diseases. Moreover, with a knowl
edge Of the introduction and spread of leprosy
among the people Of these islands, we believe
the disease to be eminently contagious.
As to cure, we regret to say that nothing il
! yet satisfactorily established; although moderr
scientific investigation in different countries j,
tending to establish greater hopes in that direc
ton. Such being the case, we recognize seq
regation as the only means left US TO rid thi
country Of the disease. While We real tn,
severity Of such measure, and do most hearth,
| nFi tic
not but feel that it is the only thing left us
Better to amputate a diseased limb, than
through false sense Of tenderness, allow it t,
remain and gangrene the whole body.
G. TRoUssEAU, NJ. ID.
BRoDIE, M. ID.
JNo. S. McGREw, NJ. ID.
M. HAGAN, NJ. ID.
r N. b. EMERSON, NJ. ID.
Honolulu, May I8, 1882