The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1883-01-20
(D0iLu. .Ianudru 80

A0NNNS1 IL
THERE is said to be some discussion about
supplying the leper settlement with a per-
manent resident physician. The agitation
of this subject does not spring from any
petition or complaint of the patients on
Molokai; nor from the community at large.
But, whatever may be the source, we must
admit that the matter calls for no doubt
a very earnest consideration The
President of the Board of Health has al
ways been a most ardent advocate of the
lepers' cause. He endeavored to have them
provided with a resident physician and
every other help towards alternating their
condition which public benevolence could
supply. And we AVE no reason to think
that he has ever repudiated his former rin-
ciples and professions in this regard. 1t
will be readily understood that there must
be a variation in opinion and action be-
tween a member of a legislative body in OPP
position and a Minister in office. The
member may find it easier to demand re-
forms and denounce malfeasance than to
strictly carry out all public re quirements
with the pressing, multiform responsibili-
ties of office absorbing his entire time and
attention continually. However, we feel
we'll assured that the President of the Board
of Health is at this time only too anxious
to execute in office those beneficent designs
which he so ~strenuously advocated in the
Legislature in 1878. OF the money provided
for the lepers, a portion, it was voted,
should be applied to secure the services of a
doctor Tor occasional attendance at the Hos-
pital; but no especial appropriation was
made to provide a satisfactory salary for a
permanent resident physician. DR.. Fitch
pays the lepers a monthly visit, and the
Hospital is now supplied with an abundance
of proper medicines. In the matter of dis
pensing and attending to the sick, the
doctor is ably aided by two efficient assist
ants, who are permanent residents of the
settlement. These are the Rev. Father
Damien, who has so nObly devoted him.
self to the mitigation of lcrrosv, and AS
sistant Superintendent StraWn, who is HIM
self a patient. The latter has become a
most faithful and efficient purveyor and dis
penser on behalf of his fellOw-sufferers.
The unfortunate people of the settlement
seem reasonably content with the present
arrangement. One or two physicians have
been suggested as possible residents with
them; but the mention of the names of these
has awakened a strong, emphatic protest
from the patients, who DO not desire such
change. This may be unwise prejudice; but
in this case even prejudice must be duly
considered, and it would certainly be inju-
dicious to force a permanent medical resi-
dent upon such a large body of patients
when they generally and decidedly object.
Nevertheless it is most important and de-
sirable to have a physician resident at the
settlement. The Board of Health is anxi-
ously considering the question, and we
doubt not, that, as soon as adequate provi-
sion can be made, and some competent
doctors services procured, who would not
be r%epugnant to the lepers, the Board will
most gladly avail itself of every possible
opportunity to meet the wants and allay
the sufferings of the patients at the
Leper Settlement on Molokai.