The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-11
ALLAL0NE IN THE WORLD.
The Leper Anderson's Isolated Exis.
tence in q County Almshouse
in Pennsylvania.
No one Allowed to 40 Near the
AFFLICTED Mans Pest
House.
SELF - To be Sent to
Sweden.

That John Anderson, the Swede. wht
lives isolated and alone at the Delaware
County almshouse is . leper there is nov
no reason for doubt, says the Philadelphia
Record. DR.. William B. Atkinson, secre-
tary of the state board of health. in an
official report to that body 30 declares him,
and recommends for the present his COM
plete isolation and, as soon 40 practicable,
his removal to one Of the leper colonies in
Sweden. Anderson is restricted to tho pest
house, comfortable three-story frame
structure standing alone, fully 200 yards
from the almshouse. No one else resides
in the building, and no one is permitted to
20 there except an attendant, Joseph Davis
who carries Anderson's meals to him. But
even Davis does not venture into the dwell
ling, but deposits the food in pine box
which has been nailed to the post and rail
fence that cuts off the dreaded house from
the rest Of the institution.
A reporter, with no more fear of leprosy
than be has Of Gagged lion. had talk with
the doomed man yesterday. Anderson ls
an understood and compactly built man
Of A years. He spoke freely and even
sirous of telling everything possible oon-
corning his condition, going so far as to ex-
pose his chest and arms that the reporter
might see the marks Of the terrible dis
ease. His face is covered with large, dark
red spots. slightly modulated. These are
especially prominent about the forehead
and eyes, giving him decidedly leonine
appearance. Strange as it may seem, while
the fatal deposits are conspicuous on his
body, face and limbs, more are to be seen
on his hands, which are sinRularly white
for those of laboring man. and very hard
and dry. These. however, are marked
characteristics of leprosy.
In telling his story Anderson said: eff
have leprosy I don't know how or where
got it. was born in Sweden, but have
During most Of that time have been fol-
lowing the sea on fruit vessels. have
often been in the East Indies, but 30 far as
know have never been at any place where
there was leprosy. My health has always
been good. and just now I am very we'll.
eyes. Now they're not so bad"
They were bad enough, however, for the
!eprous deposits had caused the eyelids to
hang in heavy folds that greatly diminished
the size of the eye, and gave them TRAN
Rular appearance.
1.-The first time noticed any of these
swellines was just after the blizzard three
years ago. was out in all Of il on board
a schooner, and during the storm ! was
compelled to stand in water up to my
AAoo0 4OI q lOuB tlm0. A1C6r the voyage
began to feel numbnees in my feet and |
legs, and then this came. The others have
been coming gradually since then. They |
give ME no pain or sensation. Since 1887 |
have been working in simpsons mills at |
Eddystone. Two weeks ago secured po- |
sition at the University hospital in Phila-
delphia to do general work, and afte,
! had been there q week / was told |
that lad leprosy and was sent |
away. want to be sent wherever the doc
tors think ought to 20. am treated wei
here, added the poor fellow In a pathetic
tone, but it is very lonely. Everybod, !.
keeps away from me as If they Wei
Dr.. Atkinson terms Anderson.s case OH
o. mild leprosy." ''There is as yet.n /
said, mo deadness." That, however, VI;
doubtless develop in due tim. 'The.s
no danger Of contagion," Dr.. Atkinsc.
says, Except by incubation. I have rec
for the present that Andersen
shall be kept in one room 60 that the res;
of the house may be available for othe,
patients. As soon as possible he should b.
sent to one of the leper colonies in Swe-