The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-08-19
A HOME FOR LEPERS.
Their Only Place of Refuge in This
Country.
An Institution in LouIsiso- Whore the
Poor Unfortunstes Are Hap
PLY Housed and Cared


Perhaps few people know that the
only leper home in the United States is
one recently established in the parish
of Iberville, not many miles above New
Orleans. 1t is a state institution, it's
board Of directors entirely masculine,
but if you would know who gives per-
sonal service TO these diseased outcasts,
ahi then. indeed, look to the women.
The whole civilized world has begun
to take alarm at the fact, indisputably
shown, that leprosy is on the increase
everywhere. Not the frightful leprosy,
perhaps, of Scriptural days, but a dis
case incurable and hideous enough and
only to be stamped out by the complete
isolation of its victims.
TO this end was the lepers' home in
Louisiana established and has for its
inmates men and women, black and
white, who have come to it from diff
ferent states of the union.
After the board of directors had for
mulated their plans, after the funds
iad been placed at their disposal, one
great difficulty frowned on them. Who
.
Mcn? Preposterous! Then one illum-
mated director proposed that they set
forth their dilemma to the mother supe-
ior of the convent at Emmitsburg, Md
Forthwith this mother called on Sister
Beatrice. then in charge Of the hospital
at Lowell, Mass. When the summons
anne Sister Beatrice checrfully re-
signed her charge and became the
Jealous and untiring superior of the
lepers' home in Louisiana. Sister An
ME, Sister Thomas and Sister CYRIL
ICON joined her and, together, they
rave made this home a real home for
hose who dwell in it. The sisters es-
abolished themselves in the old Camp
'aansion, once one of the finest planta~
ION residences in Louisiana, but now
,omewhat fallen into decay. With that
scnius for systematic and wise admin
stration which is characteristic of the
RIDER, they soon converted the dilapi
'ated dwelling into n comfortable
lomc. The house stands in the midst
# grove of towering pecans and wide
prcading oaks. Not far from this
5uilding is a new house, wherein dwelt
he resident physician and a priest OF
he church, both eonsecrated TO the
ervice of humanity.
In this building also, all the patients
AXE their meals, prepared by black
madonna of the pots. an artist in her
line.
The sisters strive to interest and
muse their patients, encouraging those
who are able to sew, wash, cut and saw
wood and cultivate the garden. There
$ n large park for their exercise and
recreation, furnished with swings,
benches and outdoor games of various
.inds. The lepers live in small cottages
uilt on either side of a live-oal avenue
These houses are comfortably fur
nished and spotlessly clean. Each
house is occupied by two persons, ex-
cept where there are more than two
members of the same family, in which
case they are all permitted to live to-
sether. In one of them live four sis.
ters, all afflicted with leprosy, and each
with different type.
Among the patients is a man of IS,
who does not remember when he was
not leper. Another is Il union veteran,
drawing a pension and still in love with