The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-03-15

Whatever may be said about the
cholera epidemic, the matter has been
so fully investigated that the structures
made were uncalIed for, and were ex-.
tremely annoying to those who were
connected with it. This is a personal
matter, but the remarks were so thor
oughly unjust that they ought not to
pass without comment.
Another comment was made in re-
gard TO the secret sessions of the Board
of Health. l wish to say on this point
that the Board of Health adopted the
plan of holding open meetings some
years ago, excepting on occasions like
this: when charges have been made
against the professional conduct of
physicians in the employ of the Board,
or employees of the Board, personal
matters), where it would serve no pub
lie purpose to publish the details. With
those exceptions the meetings Of the
Board have always been open; and the
records of proceedings made public.
l do not wish to make any lengthy
remarks, but simply to say in regard
10 the members of the Board of Health,
consisting of three physicians and three
laymen and myself, as Attorney-Gen-
eral eX-officio, that they have had a
great deal of work TO do and great re-
sponsibilities. 1t has been most dis
agreeable work. The trips to Molokai
involve a great deal OF discomfort and
hardship.
In regard 10 the two junketing trips
which We Rave been charged with, /
would say that when DR.. Brooks of the
U. S. Marine Hospital Service came
here on his return from Japan, with in
structions to investigate the sanitary
conditions OF this country, he was Civ
en- every facility. He wished to go to
the Leper Settlement, and visit was
arranged for. A small steamer was
chartered for the purpose. 1t seemed
to us, in view of the charges that had
been made in the United States, about
the extent of leprosy in this country,
and in connection with the subject Of
annexation, and so many attempts
have been made TO misrepresent the
facts, that il was deemed important
for that officer TO have an opportunity
TO make thorough investigation. His
report to the authorities at Washington
was such as to be Of very great value
to this country.
Dr. Ashburton Thompson. Health
Officer Of New South Wales also visit
ed the country to investigate the sub
ject OF leprosy in this country. Leprosy
had appeared in that colony to such an
extent that he had been sent TO inveg-
tigate leprosy. As a scientific man he
gave it thorough investigation. He
was taken to Molokai, and his views
do not agree in some respects with The
medical men in this country. Great
dlHerence of opinion prevails on this
subject, as to the degree Of contagicn
OF leprosy, what degree of segregation
should be carried out, etc. A commits
sion appointed TO investigate the sub
Ject in India reported against both Of
those propositions. That report Great
ed great interest throughout the world.
we took DR.. Thompson to Molokai in
the interests OF science.
In regard to DR.. Alvarez going to
Berlin to the Leprosy Congress. 1t was
considered of the greatest importance
to have delegate there from thig
country. 1t was a gathering of the
scientific men who had TO deal with
leprosy, from all over the world, and
the results of that meeting have been
most important. A permanent organi-
cation was perfected to discuss the sub
ject of leprosy and the reason for its
appearance in so many parts of the
world. In view of all the money that
has been spent in this country and
all the study that has been given to
the subject in all parts of the world !;
there being so much doubt and dis
agreement as to its proper treatment;
no positive cure having yet been dis
covered; We deemed it important to
have him go.
In regard to the amount of work
done by the Board, it has to deal with
quarantine matters; leprosy, with its
ramificatiOns, with the serious rela-
tions it has to the homes and people
OF this country, especially the Hawai-
ians. That alone involves a tremen-
dous responsibility. Those / 100 people
at the Leper Settlement and their
friends, are world by themselves
shut off from the rest OF mankind; de-
pendent for everything furnished them
from pin to a house; with all their
social and religious difficulties, and bu-
siness matters. All this involves a
great deal of work in the Board Of
Health. l look upon the work of the
last five years with a great deal Of
satisfaction. From time to time i'm
provements have been made in the sys-
tenn; and the indiposition TO go there,
on the part of the people, has been to
a great extent reduced. Leprosy seems
to be under greater control. Although
there are still LOO people there, the
doctors report leprosy disappearing
all over the Islands. This is explained
by the fact that the mortality rate is
not as great now. In former times
most of those brought in were in the
advanced stage, and their life after
reaching Molokai was short. Most Of
those brought in now have it in the
earlier stages and do not die so soon;
and the number remains about the
same, although it is decreasing
throughout the Islands
There is the Baldwin Home for boys;
the Bishop Home for girls; the Kapio-
lani Home for non-leprous children at
Kalihi; the Hospitals; the Insane Asy-
lum; the matters under the Act to Miti-
gate; the Inspection of Slaughter
Houses; the Market; the matter of the
removal of Garbage and Sewerage. of