The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-07-04
IN INCREASE OF LEPROSY.
HE LoArHsoME DISEASE ON THE
PACIFIC COAST.
threatening TO Spread Among Us
Lepcrs Who Regard san Francisco
as n Haven of Hest.

TO Spread Among Us
Lepcrs Who Regard san Francisco
as IN Haven of Hest.
A close investigation, writes a San
francisco correspondent, shows that the
ases of leprosy in this city may be num-
|ered by the hundreds. At one hospital
here are now twenty-five Asiatic lepers
md one from Hawaii. Forty-eight cases
ave been shipped to China. Of the
bryce number of cases already here, the
hajority are engaged in just such work
will aid in spreading the disease, such
s the manufacture of shirts and as cooks
pr Caucasians. These afflicted people
re aware of the danger that may follow
he spread Of their disease, and are using
Il kinds of devices to conceal their con-
ition from the authorities. Sometimes
hey succeed for awhile in eluding de-
ection by the lynx-eyed inspectors, but
nally they are tracked. If they conceal
he filthy and painful sores and scabs,
Fhich always accompany the disease,
rom view, they are safe. The
hites, strange to say, give themselves
but little concern, but those of their own
bee are in more dread of the disease. The
fllicted Chinaman is Stunned to degree
hat partakes almost of the character of
humanity, so far as his cCuntrymen are
Oncerned. When reduced TO condition
almost utter helplcssness, the idea of
emoving the victims by means of poi
pm is then entertained by his fellow
ountrymen who have escaped the evil.
ome of the cases OF leprosy to be seen
this city are of such a disgusting char
cter as to cause a shudder even to those
no passed over battlefield or are IA
hilar with hospital work. How these
DOR beings are stunned by those of their
wn blood, how they are put out of sight
md allowed to rot to death, as it were,
re facts not to be denied. Reduced to
bis condition, the leper thus forsaken
y all the world, is not infrequently car
led to some out of the way place, where
e occasionally is gladdened and revived
Y drught of water from the hand of
pine compassionate member of his fam
Y, but in the ma jority of instances even
his boon is denied him, and he is al
bSed to die by inches, his life being
Frminated by poison.
IN this city the probabilities of a spread
leprosy are undoubtedly greater than
b any other city In the world. Among
he recent arrivals from Hawaii is young
hdy who is now confined at the Twenty
lxth Street hospital. Her case is pecu-
ar one and her recovery is considered
oubtful. NIolokai, one of the Sandwich
Glands, is II regular settlement for lepers,
md it was proposed to send this young
Fomen there for treatment. She escaped,
owever, eluded pursuit and determined
b make her way to the city. No one
Inspected her true condition. Her fellow
assengers on the steamer to San Fran
isco did not detect the slightest traces
f disease. She mingled freely with
hose on board and was considered the
ellie of the ship. When the ship neared
an Francisco some one on board rec
gniZed the girl and notified the author
lies, who made an effort to prevent her
hnding, which was accomplished after
ute a struggle. She is now in the
ospital and will probably not survive
hany days.
At Honolulu the idea has gained
round that San Francisco is a most de-
irable place for lepcrs. The rigid and
Omewhat cruel treatment to which pa
tents are subjected in the Molokai set
cement has driven the lepers to seek
ther fields, and the ease with which
hey are permitted to lard on our shores
as been heralded at home. Hence has
ollowed somewhat of a stampede by the
rmy of lepers to come hithcrward by
ach steamer. A gentleman who recent
y witnessed the departure of vessel
rom Honolulu for Molokai informed me
hat the scene was the most terrible one
e had ever witnessed. There were about
ixty cases bound for Molokai Some of
hese were simply masses of rottenness
nd filth. The steamer was a small one,
nd the patients were crowded into a
arrow space. The farewells of the rela-
ives who had come to bid a last adieu
b their stricken kinsmen was pitiful
light, for it was known to certainty
hat not one of the lepers would ever
eave Molokai alive.