The San Francisco call., 1895-07-19
But the Surgeon-GeneraI Says
Such an Institution Is
Needed.
STATE RIGHTS NOT UsURPED.
Plans by Which the Disease May Be
Properly Treated and Patients
Cared For.

Wyman, supervising surgeon-general OF
the United States Marine Hospital Ser.
vice, when asked by THE CALL correspon-
dent whether the National Government
contemplated the erection of leper hos.
pital at Vallejo, replied:
"The Government has no such inten-
tion."
''If such an undertaking was contem-
plated, would you not be aware of it ?"
Certainly" said DR.. Wyman. "All OF
such matters. come within my jurisdiction
and under my supervision. There is no
appropriation available for such purpose.
Therefore no hospital could be built nor
any site purchased without action by Con-
gress. Besides, 1 did not know there
was such a town as Vallejo. Where is
Valleio?"
Upon being informed the doctor con-
tinued: II suppose the Vallejo people are
considerably alarmed over this rumor, but
you can assure them that there is no foun-
dation for it."
DR.. Wyman some time ago read an adj
dress before the Congress of American
Physicians and Surgeons, held at Wash
ington, in which he expressed the opinion
that leprosy should be under National con-
troll
"There is difference of opinion among
eminent men," says DR.. WymaD, chased
upon their different views regarding the
constitution of the United States, as to
whether the right of National control ex-
lists, but think it does exist, and there is
the outline of bill which think Congress
might pass: AN act appropriating suf-
ficient sum to establish National leper
hospital, and authorizing National officer
in charge thereof to receive or to proceed
and take possession of leprosy patients
upon consent of the proper authority of
the State.
"There should be corresponding act
passed by the Legislature of the State con-
ferring power upon some official, prefer
ably the Governor, with the advice of
the State Board of Health. to respond to
such requisition. 1t should be made the
duty of the Government officer in charge
of the institution, upon hearing of the
presence of a leprosy patient, to request
such authorities of the State as have been
designated for that purpose by the Legis-
lature to turn over such patient to said
officer for the purpose of being transferred
to said hospital; and Congressional act
should also provide that the officer in
charge of the institution should make such
regulations for the treatment and confine-
ment of patients as the nature of the cases
demands.
t'It will be observed that an act of this
nature would still practically leave the de-
termination of the disposition of patients
within the State to the State itself and
leave to the discretion of the Governor and
the State Board of Health whether in a
given instance the leper should be sepa-
rated. The necessity for shis discretion is
evident from the fact that special circum-
stances might so surround a patient as to
make it cruel or unnecessary to remove
him. At the same time it would provide
for proper confinement of those who are
not surrounded by such circumstances. 1t
is suggested that leprosy commission
should be appointed of three or five men,
bers to make report upon the prevalence
of leprosy in the United States and the
necessity and proper method of its control.
ga preliminary bill might be introduced
empowering the President to appoint such
a commission, and, as the success of the
bill would be enhanced if it called for no
additional appropriation, there might be
included provision setting aside portion
of what is known as the epidemic fund.- to
meet the expenses of this commission.
Whether National leper hospital would
be the result of this action or not, a COM
mission of this character would cause a
sense of relief to the people of the United
States, whether its conclusions were either
affirmative or negative as to such an
establishment"