The Independent., 1898-11-25
Continued from let page.)
OF Americans aud Europeans com
bined.
HOW MUCH 1T HAS COST.

hON mum IL hhp COOis
And now let us see how much lit
tie Hawaii has expended upon her
sick wards. Up to December 81,
1897, and from November, 1865, there
has been expended by the Hawaiian
Government for the segregation,
support and treatment of lepers no
less sum than $l,9l8,86019, to
which must be added the expenses
OF this year amounting to about an
other 100000, or a grand total OF
$2OO0OOO.
The biennial expenses gradually
arose from $24,S0O to $4,000, and
then in 1924 to $4,000. The
largest expenditure was from 1888
to 1890 when it reached 1925, ,226 60.
From January /, 1896, to December
81, 1897, it was S2lS,329.22.
Whatever may have been the
medical errors Of the past, or may
even now be from lack OF knowledge
and practical experience OF the fell
malady, Hawaii has honored herself
by her efforts, and set good exam
pie to the world by her willingness
to endeavor to alleviate the suffer
ings of her sick and to atone for the
mistakes of the past.
THE FUTURE.
Her leper settlement is now in
such condition that it is ripe for
an examination by an United States
Leprosy Commission of distinguish
ed experts, which will probably be
appointed by President Mckinley
before very long; for it is no use to
disguise the fact that the commu-
nifty, and the world at large, do not
consider that Hawaii possesses med-
cal scientists competent enough by
experience and study OF this spe-
cialty to handle it as it should be
handled. In fact the Government
OF Hawaii could not afford to pay
specialists the salaries their services
would command, and there is
strong belief that many Of our medi-
cal tyros, who are dealing with
leprosy, are very apt to make serious
mistakes as to whether a person
really has leprosy or something
only specifically akin to it. But
with the change of the flag will
come sense, in course of time, of
greater satisfaction in this regard.
Until my recent visit to Kalaupapa,
| was somewhat in favor OF the
United States National Board Of
Health treating Molokai as
national lazaretto. My principal
reason for favoring such step was
the benefits to be derived from the
establishment there of school for
study of the disease superintended
by able, capable and trained scient-
lists of world wide reputation, and
the capability Of the Federal gov
ernment to expend 100000 a year
instead of 100000.
THE GREAT OBJECTION
that l now see to this plan is the
matter of segregation of the nation
alities and the question of food.
Glass and color distinctions would
arise and the Hawaiians would be
the sufferers. New settlements would
have to be established for the differ
ent races and they would have to
treated distinctly different, and
heartburnings, jealousies and con-
tinual complaints and disorders
would ensue resulting in danger to
the patients who now live happily,
or rather as contentedly as possible,
under the pitiable circumstances OF
their existence. @
Where so much is attempted to
be done for the sick, one can scarce
ly find it in his heart to find fault,
aud yet the system of the medicated
baths, one would think, should be
improved. 1t appears, if informa-
ton has been correctly given, that
several bathe together. and not only