Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-04-14
A lEPER IN PHILADELPHIA.
Doctors in Consultation Over the
Victim.
A Wealthy Honolulu Planter at thu
Hospital
Discovers for the First Tins His
Awful Condition.
PHILADELPHIA Record.

pleasing auuIes> l'EeScutSu uALuSeA " ZIG
most eminent surgeon in America, DR..
Samuel D. Gross, of Philadelphia, having
letters OF introduction from two physicians
of the SandWic Islands. The man was
we'll dressed, and evidently accustomed to
good society, but, notwithstanding these
advantages, the impression produced by
his appearance was not agreeable. The
skin of his face was of dirty, sallow color,
and oily and shiny. His eyes were heavy,
the lids dropping and tlabby, and his nose
dark red in color. The evidences OF
a premature old age were too strong
" stamped upon him TO be mis-
taken. As matter Of faCt-although he did
not suspect it-this nan was that most
horrible Of human beings, victim OF the
dreaded disease of the tropics, scaly lepro
sy. The letters of introduction he bore
were sealed. They informed DR.. Gross that
the patient, in the opinion Of the doctors
of Honolulu, from whence he came, was
leper. As they did not regard the disease
as contagious they had advised him to visit
the United States and seek the best meti-
cal advice. The unfortunate victim is
gentleman of education, the son Of Ameri'
can parents, who emigrated from New
Hampshire to Honolulu, where
he was born thirty.four years
ago. Or. Gross after o careful eXamina-
tiCn of the case, referred the patient to DR..
John V. Shoemaker, and the unfortunate
was taken 10 the hospital for skin disease,
on Locust street. Here he told the story
of his life. He is i planter Of ample wealth
whose early manhood and much OF his for
tune were spent in excessive dissipation.
He led a merry life for some years, eSpe-
crally among the women OF easy virtue on
the island Eight wears ago he became
sensible OF decided loss Ot health, and he
now recalls fact 10 which he paid no at
teution at the time. \ dead spot Of skin
was beginning to make its appearance just
above his knee SIX molths later, when
he had almost forgotten his former iniis-
position, he married native lady OF Homo
lulu. who was woman in vigorous health.
Within a year a weak, puny child was
born. which lived but few weeks. In the
mean time the spot Of dead skin began to
grow larger, and his fingers and toes be.
came very sensitive. Sharp, shooting
pains ran through them. Within a year,
however, the pain was succeeded by a sem
sation Of deafness in his eXtremities, and
be was scarcely able TO distinguish solid
substances. This was followed by the ap-
pearance OF b,isters on his fingers and toes.
Medical treatment failed to check the dis
ease, AMI his presence in Philadelphia is
the result. Ills condition now is horrible
to contemplate.
His hands and toes have no sensation,
and when needles were stnck into his ex-
trem ties by Superintendent F. c. Water
nan, the patient said he did not feel them.
Ia short, the case was found to be well-de-
fined leproSy, which had begun in the
an,rSthetic form and gradually passed into
the more dreadful stages OF the disease.
DR. Shoemaker prescribed remedies to tone
up tie digestive organs, and solutions to
apply LEGALLY to the spots affected. Out
door exercise, to occupy his mind as much
rs possible, was especially urged. In thrt 9
DAYS the patient returned to the hospital
looking somewhat brighter, but that was
all. DR.. Shoemaker invited number OF
physicians and some of the students OF the
hospital to examine the unfortunate man.
Only few responded, but among them
were ID. s. Sutton, Of MendOa, Pa, DR.. C..
Young, of Chicago, d. Frederick de Craft,
of Germany, and D. F. + Stewart, of Phila.
deIphia. lt was explained 70 those present
that the disease, according 10 the latest and
best medical authorities, Is not contagious,
except by inOCulation.
The result of the consultation was not
favorable. IL was agreed that the disease,
by proper hygienic measures, might be
alleviated, but not cured. Dr. Shoemaker
then advised his patient 20 seek some aSrl-
cultural district, IN 4 cold region in Mime
sofa or the mountains of Switzerland, to
keep his mind and body both employed.
With this advice he was asked TO call again
in TWO DAVIS. The man listened to what
was said to him rs one who hears the SEN
teuce Of his doom. He trembled, and gaSped
for breath. For the first time he learned
that his was 10 be fate worse than death.
His emotions oyercame him, and burying
his head in his hands, he sat for long
time as il striving to shut out the terrible
truth. When he had regained sufficient
composure, he said that he had no
idea that he was suffering from
leprosy. All the way from Honolulu
he had every hope of being cured. The
thought that he was to be en- outcsst from
society, that he was gI'Sef With the most
lOsthSOme of diseases. t.l, he was to be
/ hunted down for isolation, appeared almost
| to have toppled his reason. He cried out
! that he now only wished to die; no reason
/ ing had the slightest effect upoa his excited
condition; finally, he vent away. The
/ next day he returned 70 the hospital, nery'
| Gus, gloomy, prestraICa. ne begged that
I his condition would &c AeOt secret. Every
/ moment he would glance around, as II fear
! ing he would be seized, and would repeat
/ mOurnfully. Hunted down for isolation"
! At last he consented TO start on hurried
/ trip through the country, TO divert his
mind and make arrangements to change
his place of residence. He left the city
two days ago
Before his departure he visited the
| hospital, and, as if in distraction, made
most extravsgsnt offers for such treatment
as might cure him; he said that no fee
would be too large If the awful disease
could be ersdicated. He offered to give his
fortune to the last penny. for an assurance
OF restoration to health, but he was tolc
that 1t was impossible"
Since the above was written, the mos
searching inquiries have failed to diseoyel
the whereabouts of this afflicted person
End fears are entertained that he has made
Tay with himself. Considerable feeling