Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-01-13
rs TT A NEW DODGE?

The government semi official organ informs
us that "at meeting of the Board of Health
held on Thursday last il was resolved by the
Board to take measures for the invitation of
sisters Of charity to assist the nursing of the in
digent sick in this country" We have moth
ing to say in disparagement of such proposal;
nor do we for moment doubt that vast field
is here open for the operation of those Chris
tian virtues and that benehcent influence, in
the exercise of which this ssterhood has be-
will hail their advent among us and aid and
bless their efforts, irrespective OF sect or creed.
| In reference to the action OF the Board OF
| Health in this matter, we have no doubt but
that the Board would have US take it as a
purely philanthropic move on its part. This
view We would gladly accept, were its actions
| in other matters connected with the sanitary
welfare Of the nation such as to induce be-
lief that it was accustomed to being moved by
more tender considerations than those of mere
policy, or the immediate personal advantage of
its members and their connections. But we
have been able as yet to descy no results of
its action that are not better explainable upon
the suppostion of a grovelling policy than true
regard for the health or happiness of the
people.
We have little faith in the ability Of men to
reform themselves when passed beyond ma
turity into the decline of life; and, therefore,
remain incredulous Of the possibility of such
becoming suddenly moved to philanthropie
acts who have played such a part as has been
played by the Board in its manner Of dealing
with the question Of leprosy. Here the all
important consideration Of the life Of the peo-
pie was made subsidiary to bastard policy
that sought only to make capital for itself out
of human misery; and was satisfied in seeing a
whole nation, if necessary, poisoned beyond
hope, so long as weak political prop was
gained thereby. A determined and fast-grow.
ing opposition to SO gross an outrage was all
that effected its abandonment and policy again,
but policy nevertheless, though this time in the
right direction, is that which is now dealing
with the leper as common reason and philan'
thropy would direct. The parsimony Of the
Board in dealing out sanitary benefits among
the people has been i'll in keeping with the
great professions and promises Of its president
made before the Legislature, and the large ap-
preparations Of money induced thereby. The
much talked-of hospitals TO be erected through
out the Islands remain yet unbuilt, while, in
stead Of attending to the supply Of more uni
versal and effective medical aid, obstacles have
been, in more instances than one, thrown in
the way of practitioners already employed.
The Board through the organ Of its president
has already complained Of being cramped for
want OF funds; but no explanation is yet at
No addition has been made to the staff Of
country physicians, no hospitals have been
built such as are imperatively needed In each
OF the large districts; and the lepers Of Kala.
~ao are suffered to remain without the attend.
ance Of physician OF even an intelligent per
son somewhat acquainted with diseases and
remedies TO administer to them in the various
other ailments TO which leprosy renders them
more than ordinarily liable. Mercy and justice
demands that a residen, physician be sen,
them.
Let the Board FIRST attend TO these things,
and give some evidence that !, Is pa,ting to i,s
legitimate use the money SO liberally voted 70,
such purposes BY the Legislature, and We may
then believe that the move now set ON foot Is
no, mere cunning design to save funds. and
at the same time to come in for share Of tho
appreciation which must necessarily attend the
institution OF such mission as i proposed.