The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-19

city could have been the source OF infinite
danger. The theory Is stated in plain terms,
which are not exact because they are not
scientific, that the human race adapts Itself
TO the danger OF disease by growing alWayS
more able to resist them, just as the hand
puts on it's callous armor TO protect itself
at work and the more it needs the protec-
ton the stouter the armor. Where the race
is not protected from contagious diseases
either by the mysterious processes when
beneficent nature herself provides. or ~
the artificial ones which science contrib
lites. as vaccine is a stay for the ravages
Of smallpox contagious diseases are not
peculiarly mortal.
For example, in the Fiji islands not long
ago the measles were introduced and seven
out OF thirty in the whole population died.
| 1t Was the white mans first contribution TO
| the civilization of th:ee cannibals. the
| Fijians had never known measles before,
| and it was the introduction of the disease
! into what is medically spoken of as virgin
race. AT first every case was iatal. Inc
governor of the island in his report to the
/ colonial office in June of this year. says
| that the Fijian is able now to resist meas
| les, and the scourge which decimatei the
| island in the first years OF English occa-
pancy has become innocuous. Three nun J.
| bred cases of measles are reported for TINS
year and only two deaths
|
| Something like this in all probability Is
working in leprosy, and 1t is being dis
armed by the growing resistant qualities
Of the human race. In any case leprosy
has lost its terror in all parts Of the worlo
except in the one which we are now try
| ing TO make a part Of these states-the
] Sandwich ISLANDS. When Captain CooF
| known
| virgin race, and he left there the tam
| of syphilis. 1t was the opinion OF D'
Fitch. who had studied IsRHasy careiuiiy
| thai the disease is only an aggravated con
| difion OF the syphilis, and while he pre-
| scented cIoscopic evidence 10 suppoft slS
| position he also pointed cut that lhe WI
| ing OF the disease was preeisely sii,i,ia, =. -
| many respects. and that 1t was subject i
n degree TO the same treatment. III attachs
ftrst the mucous membranes, the lnsliS VI
| tho mouth the nostrils the eyes ano
| sloushs away the flesh just as the more Ia
| rniliar and loathso,ne disease known u u
does. The hair falls out, the nalis uloi
on. the bones dry, and as they become q
posed scale OFF. until at last IN me 49,
n vital part is reached ana the Nilinl
such is the pIos:tes OF the disease.
snecial correspondent of this Journal in isA'
spent ten Gays in the leper Colony oil Muio
kai. in tho Sandwich Islands, Win ff,ne
Damien. and in his letters e%?,.h'H !.
| some detail the character oi the alsease az
II exists there. 1t was stated at INC htt
ing of the American Medical ''ocielY iAs
wear that leprosy was not 5" siru.eL. -
| Hawaii as it had observa5ly btep, fnu M
| The ra;ivtts were POSSIBLY becoming az.
| 10 resist the disease. NevW ae'ess w
| same general conditions exist o tne ~
| briefly, cut Of population OF oo'ovV NV
lerer Colony is recruited by over ~"
wear. When a case Of lepresy IS sus3e','. -
lis victim is brought TO Honoillu ana :, : e. y,
under observation and in RESTRAIN t'.i ~
presepcc is confirmed. he is tl,en J u, y
ioin the colony. and he is kept tnere I'm nv.
he dies. usually within five wars ~
utter hopelt ssnsss OF this conai ~, ~
weary waiting for death as tle thiS =
from the Infinite pains OF Nc Is uhs
the most pathetic things in tue wE', 80, "a,
Is intensified by use,essness a'l nal.a'
| aid. The only medicine ny can 10,
IN ruins is iodide OF potassium ,s a. ~,
nary anesthetic drugs. MOI pima. ns on,;v,
Of chlcrsl and their kindred are insnso Th,
| in The advanced stages OF the dise,s. "a "a
Sisease is almost entirely eoni'nea 70 ns
lives. and when white man Is a''ae"''