The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1884-05-14
Some Facts and Suggestions About Lepro.y.


EpTToa GAzETTE:-In laboring for the benefit of
tue Hawalians, l have taken some pains to get
IRON friends IN other countries such information
as 1 thought might be useful i'll securing the best
hospital treatment for that fatal malady which
has spread SO fearfully among the Hawaiian peo-
pie. 1t Is working havoc among the homes and
schools and churches. The present Legislature
ought to make some additional provision for the
better treatment of leprosy and insist upon more
thorough and radical policy in measures for its
prevention. VIII you please publish the accom-
panylnp letters, with such editorial comment as
may help strengthen and direct public opinion
ara obllge yours truly, c. NJ. HYDE.
FROM DR.. a. P. HAPPIER, CANTON.
Leprosy is regarded as hereditary. It is conta-
gious. 1t is greatly feared. Law and usage sep
arate the lepers and they live in villages by them
selves, and intermarTy among themselves. The
well shrink from any intercourse with lepers.
There is no treatment used for leprosy with any
hope OF curing it. few years ago a kind of veg
etable OIL was tried in India, and it was said TO
nave some curative effect. One of the medical
missionaries at Swallow, DIR. Gould had sorne Of
this sent from India, had leper hospital prepared
and gave much attention to the treatment ofthose
afflicted with the disease. He found that good
food, cleanliness, pure air and and the use
OF TINS OIL had q palliatlng and mitigating effect
on the disease Its ravages in mutilating the toes
fingers, nose or ears, were not so rapid when so
treated, but the remedy did not cure il. There is
an impression and opinion among the Chinese
that sexual intercourse is the easy and certain way
OF communicating the disease. But this is not
the only method. Some years ago n missionary
at Canton caught the disease. 1t made its appear
ance in his case after he went home to the States
aud be died of 1t there. it having run its course
mutilating his fingers and toes. He had at one
time u native helper who was leper, sat with him
IN his own room, and went out ON missionary tours
IN the same boat. In my opinion the only way in
which the disease can By prevented from spreading
among the Hawailans will be by the entire separa-
non oil lepers from Others There must be also
improved sanitation, avoidance of damp floors
etc. Whether in such weak race and one of so
little vitality, Its spread can be arrested is very
doubtful; but the ground of hope is sufficient to
require the diigent of all known means
There is no hope of curing those already tainted
Their suherings may be mitigated. their moral
improvement may be sought, their spiritual con.
dition benefited, but only changes involved in the
steal system.
1t ought to be preached against in all your native
pulpits, the danger of Its propagation fully ex-
planned and dwelt upon, so as TO alarm all the
male and female, to the evil nature of the disease
and the means by which ii is propagated such as |
intercourse by sitting in the same room, sleeping
IN the same bed, and above all, by sexual inter
course A small tract containing such statements
should be prepared, and copy of it put in every
family. State all the facts about the evils it en-
tails on its victims and others; and urge the Ha-
waiian, however painful to tie natural feelings to
consent TO enforce entire and complete separation
OF all those who are tainted with the disease |
Send away ut once from your schools all who show
the first symptoms. Their remaining can do them |
no good, and cndangers Others.
FROM KEy. J. H. BRUCE, SAHARA, INDIA
cannot find that there are any government |
laws whatever on the subject of leprosy. There |
are certainly laws of segregation and leperg /
are found everywhere in their own homes and VII
laSes There are no restrictions in regard to their
marriage, there could hardly be any in this land
Of infant marriages. In tie case of adults. the /
non-leprons party, would shrink from marrying a /
leper. When however one Of the parties becomes /
n leper after marriage, there would not always, /
and perhaps not generally be separation Of hus,