The daily critic., 1890-10-15
JACOB

visit I had better opportunities than
ever before Of appreciating the hOr-
Tors Of the disease and noting the gen.
tral condition Of the patients, as every
photograph was taken under my per
sOnal supervision.
1T was truly sad sight 10 see de.
formed. mutilated trunks, with scarcely
vestigea Of extremities, seated before
the camera; and there was something
pathetic In the almost universal re-
quest TO be supplied with pictures OF
themselves, which could only be con
slant reminders OF their hopeless atillc,
tions. In addition 10 the individual
photographs, various large groups were
taken, with an effect both sad and gro
tesque. There is one bright spot, how
ever, In the dark picture of misery, this
being the devotion and self-abnegatiOn
displayed by the near relatives Of many
Of the sufferers, who, although enjoy
ing themselves the blessings Of
health and strength. cheeTfully sub
nit 10 perpetual imprisonment in
order 10 minister 10 the wants Of
their husbands, mothers and other
relatives, thus alleyiating their woes by
their companiOnship and care. Many
examples Of this are seen To- day on the
lazaTetto island, and II speaks well for
human affection that. even when the
loved one has become a loathesome
msss, cOniugal ties and the claims Of
blood rise superior 10 the fear Of con
iagion and the FepulsiVe surroundings.
-
The Consul found on the island 125
lepers. There are many more at large
in Maracaibo and its en- yirous. These
will be apprehended as rapidly as posi-
be and sent 10 the retreat. The in
terror arrangements Of the island are
excellent Capacious cisterns insure a
supply Of fresh water, and within the
last few months water-w0Tks. by
means of a wind mill, have been
erected, which give an ample supply Of
lake water ia the different wards aud
rooms The inexhaustible quantity Of
running water thus secured renders it
easy 10 keep all parts of the establish
ment In a Cleanly condition, besides
allowing Irrigation Of the cultivated
portions of the island The diet is
wholesome and abundant, and the aver
age cost Of the maintenance and treat
meDt Of each person amounts 10 about
Sl3 In American money monthly.
A comfortable building has been
erected for the use Of the employees,
while for the patients q large edidca
built Of concrete forming a parallelO-
gram, with a court yard in The centre. Is
divided into separate apartments plainly
but sufficiently furnished A neat
chapel has been recently built. where
every sunday religious service Is held
and the saCrameuts administered %
those who NAV SO desire. A pleasant
feature is the establishment of cottages
with grounds attached, IN which reside
those patients whose means permit a.
Land Is given free % auy one Wh0 Is
able 10 erect a dwelling, and. as there
are quite q number who possess certain
incomes, hule homesteads are soon
formed. giving the island a cheerful
aspect
The Consul tells of strange dis
C0yey made IN This leper community.
He writes IL was AZ first a much
mC0ted point as % whether marriages
should be permitted among the patients,
and sud after a lengthy Investigation
and discussion. fl Vas finally deter
mlUed that past experiences warranted
the belief that such unions would prove
uufUitful and consequently various
weddings have been celebrated For
years tle iheoTy of stgrIIly vas uut
CQuIadicied hy experience aud seemed
about 10 be definitely seltlel. when tSo
birils occurred ou tbe island the