The Hawaiian gazette., 1884-02-20

Enron GAzETTI:-I notice that in the last few
days public attention has been called to the in
crease Of eprosy in the community, especially a.
mong children. From my position in regard 10
/ the Hawaiians, have been forced to give much
consideration TO the nature and treatment Of this
infections disease. do not care to mention facts
| that have come 10 my knowledge, which might %
| larm and distress many who can be at ease only
/ as long rs they are ignorant Of the dangers TO
| which they are exposed To be an alarmist is on
~ to be less Cupable than the DDtimis the off
cial, who would luIl INTO careless indifference those
who arr running terrible yet unknown risks.
There is one matter in connection with this
| difficult problem thlt wish through your court
/ esy to bring before the public. / think 1t needs
only to be mentioned TO awaken general public iu-
/ torest and enlist the practical sympathes Of
/ the whole community. What ought Christian
people to do especially for the relief of young
! children, upon whom lCprOsy has come rs hCrCd-
/ itary blight or accidental tainty They have
some anaesthGtic patches their skin; that is all
| But that is leprOsy, and some medical authorities
declare this form To- most dangerous of all!
There are others Of pure lives and otherwise clean
bodies, who in this inCipient stage of luprosy.
/ Anyone who knows what either the hospital ut
hakaako Is OF the settlement at kalawao breads
the thought Of coping up such unfortunates with
/ the debauched and degraded specimens OF foster
/ ing humanity, TO he found there
In thinking this question, and talking of It
! to some in this community, always interested in
what concerns the public welfare, l have found
ready response in favor of project which think
needs only TO be pat rightly before this Christinu
community, TO awaken n general desire for its
speedy accomplishment. Let funds be contribut-
ed and put in charge Of a Board of Trustees, who
shall secure site in some secluded locality, and
then build Retreat for Leper Children, and for
others in the incipent stages of leprosy. Let the
number Of inmates bG limited and the regulations
b. such in conformity with any requirements Of
the civil authorities rs TO secure complete segrega-
ton for such community. Let the locality be
such that they can have the pleasure and the ad-
yantagCs of some agreeable out Of door labor,
such rs the cultivation Of flowers, fruit and veg
etables Let the retreat be provided also with
suitable facilities for the occupation of those who
have mechanical or literary musical tastes. Let
all this and more be under the control Of Christian
bCnevolence and sustained by It, or by moderate
charges for the expenses of the table clothing and
medical treatment.
/ may add that after simply mentioning the pro
jet received from two individuals the promise
n thousand dollars fTom each towards the estab-
lishmeut Of such a Retreat. mentioned the project
TO one Of our leading physicians and he heartily
endorsed It promising TO give himself one hun
dred dollars towards IFS accomplishment. Unable
myself TO give the time aud labor necessary for
general public solicitation suggest that the GAz-
ErTE should give its endorsement and support to
the project, and receive subscriptions, publishing
from week TO week any further amounts pledged
in addition TO the S2l0O above mentioned. News
papers have done great good in such ways, and
am sure the publishers Of the GAZETTE will be rea
dy TO do ul they can to secure speedily what seems
to be so desirable and so needed retreat for lep
children aud others in the incipient stages Of
leprusy, suitable persons to become inmates Of
such nm institution. When $1,000 shall have been
pledged, let meeting Of the subscribers be called
and an organization perfected. C. NJ HYDE.
Honolulu, Feb. Is 1884.
we shall be happy to receive all subsinp
tions-Ed.D