The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-06-22

| neck connecting 10 win tne ualn siaili
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 a
gentle slope to the landing. On this secluded
spot have been imprisoned for many years
from 500 to 900 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
lected 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 a 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 RIGHTEOUSNESS. 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 "In 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 certain
death, but children not tainted were for
hidden entrance. AS in the Orient, leper is
'scivily deadn 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 a sort of burial rite is observed and q
shovelful of earth is cast upon tho leper at
the time of his official Punishment to typify
his complete extinction. In Kalawao, as the
place is called, Father Damien wrought 9
wonderful reform.
The government was reused and the pc
niusula was soon dotted with neat cottages, il
the center a handsome chapel, and near it {
residence for the priest. Cows were taker
to the retreat and generous diet OF mill
and vegetables insured. A regular medica
board now makes frequent visits. The NOR
talitv has decreased one-half and the disease
SO greatly mitigated as to raise sanguint
hopes that cure may DO discovered. Th'
morality of the settlement is good, and com
fort and happiness are not entirely unknown
For twelve years this hero labored in dali,
association with the lepers, then the diseas
showed in leprous tubercles in his face, ant
early in 1886 he was Frustrated most of tn
time. But the world was ringing with hi
fame ami faithful followers appeared. Tha
wear arrived Father Conrady, younj
priest, native of Oregon, and soon after sevel
sisters of the Franciscan order came to serv
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 withou
tears. He barely INDUCES a hope that cur
may be discovered, but proves that it may b
greatly mitigated and the danger of infectio
minimized.
True leprosy is very rare in any branch G
the Aryan race, and comparatively so in an
race living in cool or damp climate wit
an abundance and variety of vegetable.
In Norway it has lately infected sewers
persons, and in two localities of Canada. A
American lady was recently secluded in Phi
adelpha with the disease in its worst form
having contracted it in Brazil, and fey
deaths have occurred on this continent sine
the Chinese immigration set in. 1t mad
frightful ravages in Europe soon after til
d crusades, but was finally banished by qual
5 antine and improved conditions. The Jew
appear to have completely eliminated it fror
their race by long observance of the Mosai
law. In the crowded sections of Asia, wher
| hundreds Of millions live in filth and po'
erty, is its true habitat. We may feel rev
sonably sure that Canada and the Unite
States viii escape, despite the Chinese, {
long as they remain clean ard Christian an
have abundant food.