Bismarck weekly tribune., 1889-06-28

a regular prison wall is built, and on all
sides the cliffs rise some 5000 feet above
the sea except at one place, where there is
gentle slope to the landing. On this secluded
spot have been imprisoned for many years
from 500 to 900 people, dying by inches, un-
cared for morally until the good priest came
and but poorly provided with necessaries at
any time. The Hawaiian government en-
forced their segregation, but too long neg
lected their comfort.
When Father Damien arrived the lepers
had no houses but such aimsy huts as they
could construct, no medical attendance and
only the poorest food. The weakest and
most despondent at once lay down and died;
the stronger began what he called "the orgies
of despair" There was considerable tract
Of fertile land and taro root and sweet pota-
toes were tolerably plenty; Of the latter the
leper made a fiery liquor and drank to frenzy,
followed by temporary oblivion. The hulu-
hulu "a pagan dance was their common
amusement, and its conclusion is usually in
the most abandoned icentiousness. In this
dance and its products, in playing cards and
in the frenzy or stupor of intoxication most
of these doomed creatures wore away their
days Their motto was: Aole kanawai ma
keia wahi. I'm this place there is no law"
Yet in that dread retreat noble sentiments
survived and heroic devotion was witnessed;
healthy husbands accompanied their stricken
wives aud wives their husbands to certain
death, but children not tainted were for
bidden entrance. As in the Orient, leper il
''civilly dead" in those islands; his estate is
administered upon and his family relations
are dissolved as if he were buried. In some
parts Of the east this idea is carried so far
that sort Of burial rite is observed and .
shovelful of earth is cast upon the leper at
the time Of his official banishment to typify
his complete extinction. In Kalawao, as the
place is called, Father Damien wrought a
wonderful reform.
The government was reused and the pe-
ninsula was soon dotted with neat cottages, in
the center handsome chapel, and near it q
residence for the priest. Cows were taken
to the retreat and a generous diet of milk
and vegetables insured. A regular medical
board now makes frequent visits. The NOR
tality has decreased one-half and the disease
so greatly mitigated as to raise sanguine
hopes that cure may be discovered. The
morality of the settlement is good, and COM
fort and happiness are not entirely unknown.
For twelve years this hero labored in daily
association with the lepers, then the disease
showed in leprous tubercles in his face and
early in 1885 he was prostrated most Of the
time But the world was ringing with his
fame and faithful followers appeared That
year arrived Father Conrady, q young
priest, native Of Oregon, and soon after seven
sisters Of the Franciscan order came to serve
as nurses in the leper hospital Father Da-
mien used his remnant Of strength in writing
comprehensive report to the Hawaiian gov
ernment, with many valuable suggestions,
and it is scarcely possible to read it without
tears. He barely indulges hope that cure
may be discovered, but proves that it may be
greatly mitigated and the danger of infection
minimized
True leprosy is very rare in any branch Of
the Aryan race, and comparatively SO in any
race living in cool or damp climate with
an abundance and variety Of vegetables
In Norway it has lately infected several
persons, and in two localities of Canada. An
American lady was recently secluded in Phil
adelphia with tho disease in its worst form,
having contracted it in Brazil, and few
deaths have occurred on this continent since
the Chinese immigration set in. It made
rightful ravages in Europe soon after the
crusades, but was finally banished by quar-
antine and improved conditions The Jews
appear to have completely eliminated it from
their race by long observance of the Mosaic
law. In the crowded sections of Asia, where
hundreds of millions live in filth and pow
erty, is its true habitat. We may feel rea-
sonably sure that Canada and the United
States will escape, despite the Chinese, as
long a. they remain clean ard Christian and
have abundant food.