New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-19
NEYoRK DAILY TRIBUNE

uoPhlA rev years ago. and the men who opposed
'S"'auoh came out second best In Berlin, at the
ineOci conference last year. We had an animated dis
Vus''on VI ,he subject Dr. Hutchinson, of London,
vno VI o"e pest observers living asserted the theory
onat icprosy was not contagious. But his position
was opposed by DR.. Aiming OF the Hawaiian Islands
"nere 1he disease is very prevalent also by others
VINO were familiar with the subject My ounion,
Oh course is based upon the statements of those ply
scians who have had the most experience
mere are colonies of lepers in New Brunswick
In Minnesota, in Norway and Sweden. on the Island
VI Noohh IN the sandwich Islands, in Trinidad and
other places. These colonies are all isolated.
The doctor was asked II he Thought the disease con-
tagious.
u do not think II is actively CONTAGIOUS Lepers
nave lived for years in hospitals without communicate
Ing the disease and still In those countries where they
are S'sres'eo the extent Of the disease has notccably
decreased. Now, In the Sandwich Is,ande Tho dis
ease was first introduced there I'm 1850 nv two Chinese
Coolies twenty years afterward the number Of epers
haa Increased TO 1900. one-tenh of the entire pop
uiaton stringent measures relative 70 sepregatinc
iepers have been imposed in tho island of Trinidad
"lth marked success In the island of Curacao no
restrictions were imposed. ana in 1873 nefourth OF
the population were afflicted with the disease
Does leprosy confne itself to any particpIar latt
tude or classes of people7"
NO, II is found in the tropical regions
OF Africa and America, as well as in Iceland.
Norway and Sweden, China and India and
among the lowest classes Of Madeira and the
highest In Rio de Janeiro. II is found IN the
mountains and the plains on the seashore and in
the INTERIOR In dry as we'll in moist atmospberes
mere was theory advanced that cprcey is due to the
eating OF fish partially or wholly decayed. but that
theory has been almost entirely exploded
What Is the nature Of the dsease7n
1t Is cansed by microbes parasites Of low form
of organism having shape very similar TO the para
sites which produce cOnSumDtion Tbosa n.,~,,4oe
affect the skin or nervous system. Sometimes ther,
are eruptiOns of the skin, when the microbes havo
worked out through scratch a bruise and made
terrible sores, which finally leave the bone exposed
Another kind OF the disease is when the ncrvous svs
tenn is affected and the flesh becomes in spots imperv
Gus to any sensation. Sometimes leper IS afflicted
with both kinds. The disease is marked by darly
colored or white patches bsers followed by lum1,s
which appear the forehead. The parasites work
under the finger nails, and ulcers foSn in the month
The disease is contagious, If the discharge from the
sores is communicated to any sensitive portion of
person, like the mouth, eyes, nose or through
slight abrasion Of the skin"
Would tins Chinese 1aundryman be likely N con
muniCate the disease"
al understand that they spray a mouthful of water
mouths are frequently liberated, and think it would
be All easy matter to communicate the disease through
hot weather is likely to rub his collar cuff and then
with ms handkerchief or hand wipe bis mouth
The parasites are easily transmitted that way"
Have you ever seen a native American suffering
from leprosyl'
physicians man in Hndson-st, He probably had
never been out Of the city and it is probable that he
with Swede. In Minnesota, where there great
many of that nationality, they have place devoted
of catching the disease, but not probability How
ever would not like to have the man wash my
mGc as or M phyans o Know se about i the
disease think II would he wise to isolate the case"