The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-02-13
AN URGENT APPEAL FOR A HOME
FOR CONSUMPTIVES.
The Care of Those Suffering from In
durable Tubercular Disease Ably
Argued by a Philanthropist.

Editor Star; Various items in your
paper lately have alluded indefinitely
to some provision to be made for a
home for consumptives. where they
could have suitable nursing and medi-
cal treatment. To one who knows
something of the urgent need there is
for such an institution it seems
strange that the Christian benovolence
of this community has not long before
this taken some definite action. From
the time that the trustees of the
Queens hospital gave public notice
that they would no longer receive un-
der their care those suffering from
tubercular disease, it has seemed in
human and un-Christian to leave such
sufferers to suffer and to die without
some kindly shelter open to them and
competent medical attendance pro-
vided for them. But who is to lead
in such work? Who feels any obi
CATION to attempt some suitable pro-
vision for such urgent need? 1t has
occurred to me that the ladies com
posing the Red Cross Society are Just
the suitable persons with an organi2a
tion already in active operation ready
to engage in this work.
The American Red Cross Society
does not limit its efforts to camp and
battle field, or public calamities such
as famine. pestilence, floods, fires,
but as one of it's objects is pledged.
in case of public necessity, to render
any and all other esrvices of medi-
cal or sanitary character which the
circumstances may require or render
necessary. The efficient service medi-
cal and sanitary. which our local So
ciety has rendered in the ease of the
United States troops passing through
this port or temporarily stationed
here, is an indication of what they
would be able to accomplish if they
would only enter upon this service
for suffering humanity, undertaken
by no other organization here.
If DIR. Cooper and Mrs. DR.. Day would
present to the Red Cross Society n
plan for the establishment and main
tenance of consumptive's home they
would command the confidence and
cooperation of the whole community
in such beneficial undertaking which
appeals to all that is kindly or Christ
like in our common humanity. Land,
building - equipment, medical skill
would be speedily provided for those
who can make no such provision for
themselves, and who now implore in
vain some relief from their brethren
and sisters, to whom has not come the
dreadful inheritance or pitiable calam-
ity of tubercular disease.
In other lands other communities
have been aroused to the need and
usefulness of such public provision
for an otherwise worse than neglected
class. We are doing nobly in other de-
partments of public beneficiaries for
the sick and suffering, the Respondent
and the needy. Why should we not
only make no provision for consump-
tives, but so complacently refuse such
provision as we have made for others,
even for those suffering from loath-
some and contagious disease the re-
suit and penalty of indulgence in per-
sonal vice, while against innocent
children and others in need and suf-
fering, through no fault of their own.
we shut the door of mercy and of
nope? II.
Honolulu. February s, 1899.