The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-05-24

| would initiate or repeat our expert
ments on as large a scale as their elm
zeal material will allow. This CO.
operation may be obtained by publish
ing quarterly report in the Spanish
| language, containing the progress
of medical science in regard to Iep-
rosy for the three months proceeding
its publication. This report should
contain the results of our inVestiga-
lions, and the contributions of physio-
ians in Spanish-America, Brazil, Por-
tugal and her colonies, and Spain and
her colonies, and should be sent free
to all contributors and correspondents
as a compensation for their la6Ors.
The report should be sent also to all
the medical schools located in cities
| where Ieprosy is prevalent, as it will
serve to direct the attention of the
medical profession to this disease and
to the necessity of finding an effective
remedy for it. The reading OF this re-
port would perhaps induce some med
| zeal student in Spanish-America to
! select IeprOsy as the subject for their
| thesis, which must always contain
| original research or observation, and
| often consume all the spare time of
| the student for three or four years.
| They cannot present themselves as
candidates for the doctorate until they
| have studied six years, and q good
tanning a diploma as much as a good
examination.
There are many drugs in our phar-
macopOea which deserve trial in lep-
rosy. Among the cases reported as
cured in the medical journals Of Span
ish-America, there are few treated
with preparations of phosphorus, and
/ see no reason to doubt the efficacy
of this drug in leprosy.
You know that phosphorus is a
nutrient tonic with direct action Oh
the nervous system, which is often
greatly altered in leprosy. DR.. III. G.
Wood states that sin treating cerebral
softeniDg, and in myelitic paraplegia
from excessive venery, it is the only
drug which appears really to affect
the nerve centers." Phosphorus has
been found of benefit in obstinate
skin affections, such as lupus, acne,
Psoriasis and chronic eczema. AS the
secretion of urea is always diminished
for during the administration of this
drug the quantity of urea is always
increased. While the bacilli of
tetanus thrive best without oxygen,
this element is essential to the life of
the bacilli of leprosy. Perhaps the
favorable action Of phosphorus in lep-
rosy is party due to its great affinity
for oxygen. The danger from toxic
effects may be avoided by using red
phosphorus, which, when pure, is not
poisonous.
Another drug that enjoys the repu-
tatiOn OF having cured some cases in
SpainZis eucalyptus. Here again we
have no reason to doubt the efficacy
of this drug in leprosy. Eucalyptus
is tonic and stimulant and, like
phosphorus, it increases the secretion
of urea, which is always diminished
in leprosy; its antisep tic power is
greater than that of quinine. It des-
troys the hematozOa of laveran in the
blood, and this cures malarial fevers.
It has deci led action on the nervous
centres, causing paralysis when given |
in toxic doses. AS it is eXecreted by |
the kidneys, lungs and the skin, it |
may have favorable local action on |
the skin manifestations of leprosy. |
The Spanish physician used a satur- |
ated tincture, made of the leaves of |
eucalyptus growing in Algiers, Africa. |
The I, in-o i,sad- !J'F - 11.,4 s7Os1ng gTadui-
ally to one tablespoonful or more.
A great deal Of time and money
nave been wasted all over the world !
by employing against leprosy the
large number Of remedies which our
text books advise for this disease.
While some patients have improved |
while using some of these remedies, |
we must not forget that lepers will |
improve sometimes without any treat |
ment; for this reason many RENE dies
nave been credited with virtues which
they do not possess. These remedies
nave received fair trial in the hands
OF very many competent observers, in
Inherent parts of the world, and with |
one exception, they deserve to be dis. |
carded. The remedy that deserves to
be retained is the gynOcarGia odOIata
L would not advise
the use of the oil, because it is not
We'll tolerated by the stomach; pa
tients suffer from gastralgia, vonit- ,
ng and d1ArrhOea while using it. The |
pest preparation of this drug is the
synocardic acid which posse sses the
advantage of being we'll tolerated bv
ne stomach, even when its use is pro.
onged for years or more. The gyno.
ardic acid may be given pure, in
,ills or capsules, or it may be given in
he form of gynocardate OF soda or
nagnesia. :
The last mail brought me the report
q the treatment of leprosy by DIR. T
lima, who is in charge of hos
ital for lepers in Rio de Janeiro. b
lie refers to gynocardic acid in =
he following terms: Under its =
Sc the progress of the disease !,
arrested, the appetite i'm n
roves, the skin loses its roughness y
nd becomes soft and pliable, the y
laculae disappear, the disturbances y
sensation diminish, sometimes dis.
ppearing entirely, the general nutri
on improves and ulcers heal, the
ate OF mind Of the patient changes | -
II the better, instead of being sad and -
espondent he becomes gay and full
confluence In the future; he sees his -
lbercles diminishing in size. the in II
tratiOns vanishing the perspiration N
turning, and he experiences a sen. >.
tion of we'll being which encourages OIL
m to continue the use of the remedy
r any length of time. Q!
The most valuable remedy against al
prosy is undoubtedly Salicylate of Ell
'dium. 1t not only improves the oa
u6itinn of tho I In