Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-01-29
THE LEPRosY SCARE.
This Dreaded Disease IL Still Prevalent on
Both Continents.


Both Continents.
Leprosy has increased SO rapidly in
Europe during the last quarter OF
century that eminent medical men eN-
press belief that the population in
general is becoming seriously exposed
To the possible rayages OF that terrible
disease. The scare has extended 90
the new world. IL is positively assert.
cd that lin tropical America, and even
among the Crcolcs of Louisiana, the
Scandinavians of Minnesota and Wis.
consin, and the Mormon converts from
the Sandwich islands at Salt Lake, the
disease now has hold that is likely to
be most difficult to overcome.
Some distinguished physicians com
plain that the attitude of medical men
toward leprosy has long been unscien-
titic, superstitious and professionally
discreditable, they having assumed that
its causes are undiscoverablc and its
scourges irremediable. I'm word, the
loathsome disease has been looked upon
as direct and incurable infliction from
the hand of God, against which, there
fore, ii is vain to struggle.
This superstitious belief has come
down through the ages. In Europe
and America, leprosy is popularity sup
posed TO be disease peculiar TO "Bible
lands" The prevailing ideas about it
have been derived from the rigid Mo-
sale laws as to leprosy, and from the
barbarous treatment of lepers IN
Palestine. When, after the first Cru
sades, leprosy spread like an epidemic
through Europe, efforts were made TO
extend the ministering spirit of Chris
tianity into the treatment of its count
less victims. But, notwithstanding
these humane efforts, the lot Of the
leper was pitiable and distressing be-
yond description. He was set apart
from his fellow beings, and was com
pletely and forever an outcast from the
world. He was considered both legally
and politically as Il dead person; SHOW
elful of earth was east upon his body
the ceremonial for the burial of the
dead was pronounced over him, and
masses were said for The benefit Of his
soul. But no attempt was made TO cure
him; indeed, such an effort would have
been considered impious in high quar-
ters, as being an audacious attempt 10
contend against the fat of God.
The influence of these superstitions
has largely prevailed down to the pres
ent time. But now members of the
medical profession in all parts of the
world are throwing il off The leading
physicians of America are completely
emancipated from it. They have taken
purely scientific attitude toward lep-
rosy. They say that, like ever other
disease, leprOsy has its causes. and that
those causes can be discovered and OBJ
Waited. Satisfactory progress has al
ready been made in this direction. No
cure for leprosy once seated in the
human system has been found; nor can
"A person who has inherited the faint bc
surely saved from its development; but
means have been discovered for pre-
venting the spread Of the disease
among persons who are not tainted
with it. Among the chief Of these
means is the absolute isolation cf lepcrs
in asylums and retreats specially pro-
vided for that purpose. This mode of
treatment is imperatively insisted upon,
because it is now the settled conviction
of the best authorities that leprosy is
contagious; that it can be impaired 10y
personal contact and is sometimes COM
municated to untainted individuals 10y
their familiar association with those
who are afflicted with it. The truth of
this theory was verified by the romantic
case of Father Damien, .he young Bel
gian priest who several years ago
took up his abode in the leper
community of Molokai, i'm the
Sandwich islands, for the purpose
of ministering 20 its afflicted mem
bers. Father Damien's devotion and
tragic fate arrested the attention and
excited the sympathy of the civilized
world. When he entered upon his self
sacrificing work he was in perfect
health and in the full vigor of young
manhood. He took every precautiou
TO escape the disease but his associa
ton with its victims subjecting him to
its contagious influence, it attacked
and overcamc him, and he died the
leper's lingering and miserable death.
1t is authoritatively alleged that I'm
many OF our cities there are lepers now
running at large and mingling with the
population. This is the main source
of danger: it is on this fact that the
leprosy scare is chiefly founded: and it
is to the removal Of this source Of im-
minent peril that efforts should be first
4.