Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-07-09

AN - wide; across t b
neck connecting it with the main island
regular prison wall is built, and on al
sides the cliffs rise some 1900 feet above
the SEA except at one place, where there is q
gentle slope to the landing On this secluded
spot have been imprisoned for many years
from 800 to 800 people, dying by inches, I'M
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
lectesl their comfort.
When Father Damien arrived the lepers
had no houses but such flimsy huts as they
could construct, no medical attendance and
only the poorest food. The weakest and
most respondent 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 fiery liquor and drank to frenzy
followed by temporary oblivion. The hulu-
hulu Ia pagan dance was their common
amusement, and its conclusion is usually in
the most abandoned hcentiousness. In this
dance and its products, in playing cards and
in the frenzy or stupor Of intodcation most
of these doomed creatures wore away their
days. Their motto was: Aole kanawai ma
keia wahi. SIN 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 and wives their husbands to q certain
death, but children not tainted were for
hidden entrance. As in the Orient, leper is
''civilly dead" in those islands; his estate is
administered upon and his family relations
are dissolved as if be were buried. In some
parts Of the east this idea is carried SO far
that sort Of burial rite is observed and q
.hovelful of earth is cast upon the leper at
The time of his official Punishment to typify
his complete extinction. In Kalawao, as the
place is called, Father Damien wrought a
wonderful reform.
The government was reused and the pc
ninsula was soon dotted with neat cottages, in
the center handsome chapel, and near it a
residence for the priest. Cows were taken
to the retreat and generous diet of milk
and vegetables insured A regular medical
board now makes frequent visits. The NOR
tally has decreased one-haf and the disease
so greatly mitigated as to raise sanguine
hopes that cure may be discovered. The
Id1lLS Ok tu6 ScttISlneut Is ROOO, anu COIL
fort and happiness are not entirely unknown.
For twelve years this hero labored in daily
association with the kpers, then the disease
showed In leprous tubercles In his face, and
early in 1885 he was Frustrated most of the
time But the world was ringing with his
fame and faithful followers appeared. That
year arrived Father Courady, a young
priest, native Of Oregon, and soon after sever
sisters of the Franciscan order came to serve
as nurses in the leper hospital. Father Da-
mien used his remnant Of strength IN writing
a comprehensive report to the Hawaiian gov
eminent, with many valuable suggestions,
and it is scarcely possible to read It without
tears He barely INDUCES hope that cure
may be discovered, but proves that It may be
greatly mitigsted and the danger Of infection
mininized
True leprosy Is very rare In any branch Of
the Aryan race, and comparatively 50 in any
race living 10 a cool or damp climate with
an abundance aud variety II 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 the disease in its worst form,
having contracted 1t IN Brazil, and few
deaths have occurred on this continent since
the Chinese immigration set in It made
frightful ravages IN Europe soon after the
e1'rlsides, but was finally banizhed BY guar
antine and improved conditions The Jews
appear to have completely eliminated 1t from
their race by long Observance Of the Mosaic
law. In the crowded sections d Asia, where
hundreds of millions live In fifth and pow
Gty, is its true habitat. We may feel rea-
sonably sure that Canada and The United
States win escape, despite the Chinese, a.
long as they remain clean and Christian and
have abundant food.