The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1886-05-11

that the President of the Board OF
Health he requested TO confer with
Dr. j. Herbert Reeves, professor of
hydropathy and hygiene, to ascer-
tain whether the skill and knowledge
of that gentleman can be made
available for the treatment of leprosy.
The gentleman named in the resou-
ton had called ON the mover last
evening and intimated to him that
he thought his services might he
made available for the treatment of
leprosy. The speaker thought that
every available means except hydro
pathy and hygienic had been tried
for that disease. When the Govern
ment first began the treatment of
lepers twenty years ago, he took
great interest in the welfare of the
people and hoped that by some
means the dread disease might he
cured. He might say that his hopes
were not very great that the disease
could he cured by this gentleman,
but he held that no means should he
left untried to relieve the sufferers.
This gentleman had told him that he
had spoken to several members of
the house, as well as TO the Presi-
dent of the Board of Health, but
had not received much encourage
ment. Perhaps, however, the Pre-
sident had not much time, and he
had thought proper to bring this
matter before the Assembly.
Rep. Thurston would be willing
to give this gentleman an opportu-
nifty, but before any money was
authorized to he expended, the Gov
ernment should find out what his
qualifications were. He agreed per-
fectly with the honorable noble that
every possible means should be
adopted for relieving sufferers, but
before dealing with this gentleman
they should know what credentials
he bore.
Minister Gibson seconded the
resolution. For the Information of
the house he said that DR.. Reeves
had applied to the Boar. of Health
for license to practise medicine, but
was told by the speaker that he
would hardly come up to the quail
fications required by law. But as
he stated that surgery was no part
of his practice, but simply cleansing,
bathing and hygienic care, he was
informed that he would not require
a license but could serve the COM
munity as a caretaker of invalids,
nurse, and so on. He would say
furthermore that this matter of a
water cure had been recommended
and was being carried out the Cen
eral Hospital. The report of the
Board of Health would give full
particulars Of what was being done
in that way, and show members
that the results obtained were very
excellent. He had conversed with
DR.. Reeves, and was willing to con-
fer with him further, but, as the
member for Molokai had said, they
should be careful about incurrins
additional expenditures. At pre-
sent the Board could only provide
for the maintenance of the people,
but if the Assembly was willing to
provide for experiments the Board
would be very happy to carry them
out. No doubt it would he well fol
them to call in to their assistance
skilful physicians, so far as the
Assembly would trust lay BoarG
of Health.
Noble Rhodes agreed with much
that the President of the Board had
just said, and gave further particu.
lars of his conference with DR.
Reeves, whom he had cautioned mo-
to expect to make great deal o.
money for very slight services.
Rep. Dickey supported the reso
luton, saying there was no more inn
portant matter than the cure OF
leprosy.
Rep. Dole moved an amendment
that, if it appears that DR.. Reeves
has not had a medical education, th'
President of the Board of Health b,
instructed to have no more dealings
with him. He could hardly imagine
more unfortunate thing than to Sc,
a poor man afflicted with leprosy be
ing experimental upon by quack
He had strong belief in the use o
water, but did not agree with TIT
Minister of Foreign Affairs that i
was mere matter of nursing. l
required the highest degree of medi
cal skill. Many an unfortunate
patient, in being treated with this
element by an unskilful practition'
er, has been either chilled to deatl
or boiled to death. Therefore, if {
man has not had a medical educa
ton they should have nothing to dC
with him.
Minister Gibson fully agreed will
the last speaker as to the impor
tance that this water treatmen
should be handled 10y men of skill
1t should not be employed by any
person without regard to time, TEN
perature, etc. He would add, fo
the information of honorable mem
bers, that baths were being admins
\