Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-12
VENEZUELA'S LEpERS.
Remarkable Facts as to Marriage
Among the Unfortunates.
SOUND AND HEARTY CHILDREN
Born to Parents Both of Whom Suffer
From the Dread Disease.
HOW THE PATIENTS ARE CARED FOR.
The Pretty Country Establishments Of Those Who Have
the Means
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH

ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPArcH.1
WASHINGTON, October 10.-The report
on leprosy in Venezuela made to the State
Department by E. Plumacher, Consul at
Maricaibo, describes at considerable length
the introduction of the scourge in 1925,
when a sufferer from Santo Domingo landed
at Maricaibo and spread the infection. In
the course of three years the evil had at
tanned such proportions that an island about
four miles distance from the city was set
apart for the isolation of incurables.
1t was not until 1876, however, that a
charitable work among these exiles was
undertaken by a number of good women in
Maricaibo. Their efforts in the way of
better buildings, social observances and care
have been so successful as to have attracted
wide attention, and this lazaretto bids fair
to become the place of seclusion for the
whole of Venezuela.
FOR HUMANE TREATMENT.
There are now about 125 patients on the
islands. Waterworks have been constructed,
and abundant supply secures cleanliness of
persons and quarters, and the irrigation of
the ground devoted to agriculture. The diet
is wholesome and abundant, and the average
cost of the maintenance and treatment OF
each person amounts to about S13, in Amer
lean money, monthly.
A comfortable building has been erected
for the use of the employees, while for the
patients large edifce built of concrete,
forming parallelogram withta court yard
in the center. is divided into separate apart
ments, plainly but sufficiently furnished.
A neat chapel has been recently built,
where every Sunday religious service is held
and the sacraments administered to those
who NAV SO DESIRE A pleasant feature is
the establishment of cottages with grounds
attached, in which reside those patients
whose means permit it. Land is given free
to any one who is able to erect a dwelling,
and as there are quite a number who possess
regular incomes little homesteads are soon
formed, giving the island a cheerful aspect.
MARRIAGE OF LEPERs.
1t was at first much mooted point as to
whether marriages should be permitted
among the patients. II has always been
well understood that a union between a
sound and diseased person would be
liable to result in the propagation of dis.
eased offsprings, but it was believed that
marriage between two undoubted lepers
was sure to be fruitIess. So, after long
discussion, the necessary permission was
given, and number of weddings were
celebrated.
For years the theory of sterility was not
contradicted by experience, and seemed to
be about definitely settled, when two births
occurred on the island, the parents in each
case being lepers. Neither OF the
children has as yet shown symp-
toms of the disease. and in
March of last year, one of them who had
reached the age OF IA years. having passed
his whole life on the island with his Ieprous
parents, was allowed to return to society,
after having been formally pronounced
clean by board of competent experts.
PUZZLES THE DOCTORS.
This is but one instance of the puzzling
character of the disease. The general effect
OF these marriages seems to have been to in
duce more cheerfulness and resignation,
and to add greatly to the good dis
cipline of the establishment. Although
marriages would not be allowed between a
sound and diseased person, yet, in the
case of the development OF leprosy in one of
a couple, after marriage, the sound consort
is permitted to accompany the other to the
lazaretto, and this has occurred in many
instances.
With the system of separate cottages for
those who desire them, the island is begin
ming 10 assume tAe aspect OF rural munich
pality. Its extent is little more than mile
square. with good soil, of which advantage
has been taken by the well-to-do patients
for the cultivation of various products and
the breeding Of goats. The open country
has been artifcially stocked with game,
which is now becoming abundant.
A reading room and library are at their
constant disposal, and occasional musical
are furnished by the Junta,
all of whose efforts are directed to the |
of veritable home for the |
patients, where they may, as far as possible,
forget their aft lotions.