The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-31
LEPROSY ON THE DECLINE.
ooNoLUsToN or THE CONGRESS OF
EXPERTS AT BERLIN.
"A HuuE ChnuE's Pia.s FOR military ana Vac
val Rsrsrns In China Approved-Leetur-
inu In E~nsiana-Eurspe,s wine Crop-Pos-
tai 0tatiatics-HnHlIah Mnterinn PInees.

hooS NShkipab ~ ptTun bnOulu HeTNG o N inc
whole to reduce the apprehension which has
been growing for some years past by reason Of
the apparent increase of this oldest ana worst
ucourRe OF humanity. Almost simultaneous re-
ports gained currency and credenco a few years
ago that leprosy was increasing rapidly in India,
South Africa, Australia, and several islands in
the Pacific. More recently the disquieting fact
has been made known that no important country
and no great city 10 without Its lopers, the
average number in London. New York. Paris,
and Berlin being probably not less than 100
each. 1t 10 practically established also that the
disease 10 infectious, though not contagious.
But the reassuring feature Of the situation ID
the knowledge that the scourge Is measurably
diminishing. and that there is no reason to fear
any serious rocrudcscenco OF 1T In civilized
countries.
No cure for leprosy Ia yet known to science,
but tho disease Is now much better understood
than ever before. The delegates TO the recent
congress were pretty we'll agreed that 1t is q
bacillar disease, with n specific germ. that 1t 10
not hereditary. and that IL Is communicable in
much the same way rs are cholera and typhoid
fever. though in q much less active and dam
gerous degree. In other words, leprosy can
not DO communicated by tho atmosphere, as in
the case Of smallpox. scarlet fever, or influenza.
Most persons would probably escape infection
even from actual physical contact unless many
times repeated. There are well authenticated
cases, howovor. in which tho disease has been
transported by insects. One OF the terrors OF
lifo in certain infected communities Is this dan.
ger from mosquitoes. II ono OF these insects
bites q lepcr and happens next to attack a nom
Infected person. the latter may become inocu-
lated with tho germs OF the disease. especially IL
he is rash enoug to kill the mosquito while it
IL In the act of singing. 1t is q common pro-
caution. where this danger exists. for the inhab-
itants TO content themselves with driving away
insect ~pests-never to kill them upon the skin
where they have punctured 1t.
No decisive or satisfactory information was
gained at Berlin with regard to the origin, {. C.,
the source OF the spontaneous development of
leprosy. Jonathan Hutchinson's theory, which
he holds very tcnaciously. that an exclusively
or predominant fish diet is the cause of the dis
ease, found no supporters. There was some diff.
ference OF opinion regarding tn necessity for
the isolation of lepcrs, but the majority was
Overwhelmingly large In favor of strict seQues-
tration. DR.. Hansen reported that the system
of Isolation in Sweden and Norway had been
strikingly successful, and had reduced the num-
Der OF victims from 5000 TO 1000 within the
past four or five years. There were encouraging
reports OF the dec Inc OF the disease in the Bal
tic provinces of Russia and in India and other
places. All agreed that cleanliness. observance
OF sanitary laws. Improvement OF general health
variety of diet, and isolation OF the infected are
j formidable enemies of the scourge.
In fact. there is good reason for hoping that
the new century will not be many years old be-
fore this plague has been entirely driven out of
the civilized nations Of the world. The next
great triumph of medical science will probably
be the discovery OF cures or prophylactics that
will give control over all germ diseases-typhoii,
malaria. diphtheria, and leprosy among them.
Many leaders of the profession believe that
tho day is not far distant when these greatest
enemies OF human longevity will be conquered.
News from Pekin indicates that Ii Hung
Chang's star is again in tho ascendant in the
Flowery Kingdom, and the reforms which he
recommended as the result of his recent world.
girdiing tour are likely to be speedily adopted.
Conferences have been held recently in London
b, Chang Yen Huen. Hsue Ching Cheng, and Lo
Feng Luh, which confirmed Lis suggestions re-
gsrding the military and naval reorganization
Of the Chinese Empire. 1t is stated that the
Emperor will speedily order that these reforms
DO executed. Following is that portion OF Lis
memorandum dealing with naval and military
changes:
What China needs most are fortified har-
bors and o good navy, which must DO built
abroad at first, because tho Chinese yards can
not possibly compete with the foreign oncs.
The ships must, in the frst place, protect the
Government building yards, in order to prevent
DISASTROUS commandments by a few hostile ships
like those OF Foochow and Wei-Hei.Wet Fol-
the protection OF tho navy, which will be small
at first. at least three well-armed ports are nee
essary, owing to the great length OF the Chinese
coast. These ports may be Kisuchau Bay, In
the north; NomXwan. in the middle, and Mir
Bay, close to Kong Kong, in the south. The,
ought TO DO fortified at once. Until tht
notifications OF Kianchau Bay are ready
Port Arthur might serve as a naval por
ad interim. For tho reorganization Of the nav
~ l,.in r a > 4 va hnHv lila tha nrifiah A
miralty should be created undor a Europcal
organizer, who would have TO issue all naval IL
structions and regulations. In the building o
the navy the main thing to DO attended to mus
be that ships of tho same class shall also DO o
the same type. for which reason the work mus
be intrusted to as few firms as possible. For re
c~ruiting purposes three central offices must b
established. The recruits must be got from
Gmong the coast fishermen. They must serv
seven years, after which they may bind them
selves for seven years moro or enter the reserve
Tho reorganization Of the army must be ei
fected ON the same lines. Tho main thing 10 t
get able foreign instructors Of ono nationalit
ss soon as possible. instructors In artillery, on
cheering. signalling, and navigation arc thos
we are most in want OF. Discipline is at presen
highly unsatisf. ctory. and must therefore hay
special attention paid to 1t. The ESTABLISHING n
of permanent camps. Like that at Aldershot,
urgently advisable. and tho recruits should b
drilled In the British fashion. with slight mod
hcations. The School of Navigation at Tientsi
Is all that can DO wished, but the young officer
Of tho navy must take q two years voyae
round the world. and those of the army mui
study for two years at a military, and mcdici
officers at q med cal. academy. Tho necessar
funds must DO granted to each department fe
o year In advance. Till this be done 1t will /
absolutely necessary TO allot them q defnii
sum, say, 10000. 900 taels.
"For the execution of these measures q con
" mission of three European oflcials-a civil,
naval, and q military enGineer-must be a
pointed, who shall also test tho existing shil
and guns. Moreover, offers Of efficient model
shipbuilding establishments. gun foundries, al
ammunition factories must be Examined. b
fore contracts are concluded the Governme