The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1895-07-26
an IsLAND or DEATH.

Abode of BanIshed Lepers In the Gulf of
Georgla-Seven Unfortunate Human Be
ings Form the Population of the Laza
retto Established by the Government OF
Victoria.
At point about eighteen miles from
Victoria, and almost in the direct path
Of steamers plying between that city
and Vancouver, Is little green island
on which seven unfortunate human be-
ings are prisoners for life. The ripping
blue waters of the Gulf of Georgia, in
stead of walls of stone, hedge them
about, and though each day they can
see the smoke of passing steamers and
can almost read their names, they
know that none will ever stop to bear
them back to freedom and civilization.
Yet they are not criminals; 1t is disease
not wrong-doing, that has caused their
Punishment from the world. For them
there - no pardon there Is no rescue
there is no hope, no pity, no escape
These seven form the leper colony of
Darcy Island, and through all the CEN
turtles no cure has yet been found to
heal the leper's spots.
IL is not so very long ago that this
iazaretto was established by the munic-
ipal government of Victoria, in order to
prevent the spread of the loathsome
disease among the Asiatic population
and its possible transmission to the
whites, yet few indeed, even in Victo-
ria, know or care where the plague
stricken ones have gone, or how they
live or how they die. The rate-payers
nave hazy understanding that there
is a. lazaretto somewhere near, for they
nave paid for its establishment and
continue to contribute for its mainte-
nance. They are, for the most part,
content with this simple knowledge of
an unpleasant fact. If they are over
curious as 10 where the money goes,
they may on inquiry ascertain that ev-
cry three months small harbor steam
er chartered by the corporation bears
the municipal health officer, DR.. Dun
can, and the sanitary inspector, M. j.
Collins, on a visit of inspection, and
leaves the stores that are required to
keep the lepers alive until the next COM
ing of the steamer. These are the only
breaks in the terrible, hopeless monoto-
ny of the lepers' living death
One of these official visits was recent
~ made, and the doctor allowed the
writer to accompany him. He had seen
two of the lepers prior to their Danish
ment to the lazaretto, and was curious
to note the progress the disease had
made. Then, too, he had never seen
men with whom hope had become an
utterly meaningless word, and was anx-
ious to learn how they could live on,
having nothing to live for; how they
employed their time or stayed their
hands from self-destruction when they
felt the tightening hand of the plague
from which there is, no escape. We
Went out one bright, beautiful Sunday
morning, selecting that day as matter
of convenience, and the trip being taken
about fortnight earlier than usual, as
the doctor was DESTROYS of noting the
progress of the disease in the most adj
vanced case under observation, and
knew that death might come at any
time and rob him of his opportunity
The trip was made In glorious spring
sunshine, and as the steamer cast an
Choir in the little sheltered bay on which
the leper settlement is established, first
one and then another of the lepers could
be seen slowly moving out from their
cabins and following with their gaze
the movements of those aboard. Then
the landing boat was lowered, and as
the party approached shore the doctor
counted the population
Zone - two - four - six he said.
"thats strange; there should be eight"
A moment later the boat grazed on
the beach and theinterpreter was striv-
ing to answer half a. dozen questions
simultaneously asked by the six exiles
did he bring letters from home; was
the doctor going to take them away;
did he bring the chessmen he had
promised; had he any opium; how Jared
the loved ones with whom there might
be no reunion?
Then the landing of stores began and
the doctor and the writer began their
respective work. We wanted TO obtain
q knowledge or each individual case,
and photographs of the lepers, and this
could only be accomplished by diploma
cy, for the stricken ones are inclined to
be rebellious and resent Interrogation.
"Tell them we want to look into their
case and see how many Of them are fit
TO be sent home to China" the doctor
said to the interpreter, and as soon as
this had been translated all obstacles
were removed. Perhaps it was cruel;
perhaps, on the other hand, it was
Christian charity to let them hope lit
tie longer
First inquiry was made for the New
York Chinaman," as he had been chris
tened, his being the worst case of all,
and this patient having come originally
from New York He it was that was
brought over the Canadian Pacific in
crate, so that none might come in con-
tact with him, and he it was that the
doctor was most curious to see.
"He's gone" explained the lepers la
conically. "Ten days ago. We buried
him.
The statement was simply one of fact,
and the manner of its making was one
of utter indifference. The other absen-
tee was reported in his cabin "sulking."
He no been here long" explained one
of the elder members of the colony.
.'He come three months ago, that's all
Now he run through the woods and cry
all the night; by'm'by he not mind SO
much"
All being accounted for, the photo
graphing and examination commenced,
the doctor taking minute notes Of the
special character of each case for the
edification of his professional brethren,
while I devoted myself to an inspection
of the island.
A pretty spot it is-a verdant dot in
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