The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-03-13
SOURCE Of CONSUMPTION
MILK wRoNGFULLY BLAMED F0R
CASES.
Chinatown Was Hotbed of the Disease.
Houses and Clothing of Lower Glasses
Spread Infection.

spread lnIeCIlOn.
EDITOR STAR:-The Board of
Health has, for the past four or five
years, been disposed to blame milk
on account of tuberculosis in mich
cows-for much of the consumption in
the city. The same theory is put for
ward in the United States and in Flu
rope, particularly in Germany.
1t is a good theory because it is a
convenient one; but does It work out III
practice? Did you ever hear of, in any
country and in any age of mankind,
single case of consumption being traced
to the milk of a COW? Bacteriologists
tell us that the bacteria of tuberculosis
is in the milk of consumptiVe cattle.
Granted; but can you find in any report
Of an Official or otherwise reliable char
actcr an account of case of tuberculo-
sis traceable directly or indirectly to
the use of such milk
The milk users of Honolulu are the
wealthy classes; the consumptives of
Honolulu are VIGOROUSLY of the lower
classes. 1t is seldom that we hear of a
case of consumption in the American,
British or German colonies, and when
We do it is almost invariably q person
whose habits lead him into places that
are not patrons of the dairymen of the
city. Aside from white strangers, con-
sumption is at this time confined almost
exclusively to the Chinese, Japanese
and natives of Honolulu-people who,
with the possible exception of a few
natives, never use milk at all.
For an illustration we may take any
month of any year you may suggest.
last month, February, there were six
teen deaths from consumption in the
city. Here they are; and how many,
think you, contracted consumption, di-
rectly or indirectly from the use Of
milk?
Lula, female Hawaiian, aged so, died
at kerosene detention camp.
Takahada Daigo, Japanese male, aged
Is, at suspect hospital.
Lclehana, male Hawaiian, aged 80, at
Kewalo.
Leong Chong, male Chinese, aged 40,
at Chinese hospital
Kaala, male Hawaiian, aged IS. at
kalihi.
Tapa, female Gilbert, Islander aged
sc, at kerosene camp.
Mrs. Ella Hila, female Hawaiian. aged
80, at kerosene camp
James K. Ohule, male Hawaiian. aged
Z, at ManOa Valley,
M. Furumi, male Japanese, aged 10,
at drill shed camp
1. Kuwa, male Hawaiian, aged II. at
Kapalama.
Kahiohio, male Hawaiian, aged 40, in
Pauoa Valley.
7. Hansen, male Norwegian Ga stran-
ger), aged 40, at Sailors Home.
Yemoto, male Japanese, aged SO, Lii
ina street.
Mrs. S. Kehoa, female Hawaiian,
aged 35, at Palama.
John Kanoa, male Hawaiian, aged 90
at kerosene camp.
S. p. Kanoa, male Hawaiian, aged S.
Hustace avenue.
Not one of the above, save the boy
James x. Ohule, could be suspected
for moment of having contracted con
sumption from milk, and the only evil
dence in his case is that he was young
and that there is a dairy close 10 his
habitation in Manoa Valley. This rec.
ord for February is not materially eff
ferent from that of other months, end
the corresponding months of other
years.
A diagnoses of the cases shows thai
seven of the sixteen cases came di-
rectly from Chinatown; one was a for
eigner; two were from an insanitary
section of Kewalo two from Palama
and one each from Liliha street, Manoa
Pauoa and Kalihi. Coming down tC
individuals it will be found that all
except Mrs. Kekoa, led practically the
same lives as those of the Chinatown
district.
The cause of consumption in the la.
waiian Islands, Mr.. Editor, is-con.
sumption. 1t is not milk. Chinatown
is literally plastered from end to enc
with the bacilli of this disease. Gases
came from this hotbed by the VIII Die
sale. My. words will be remembered
| when, a few months from now the
number of deaths of consumption vii
have materially decreased. Outside q
| Chinatown there are infected houses
and infected clothing that Will spread
the disease to a large extent. In the
house occupied by John I&anoa were
about twenty natives. When removed
to the kerosene camp, two days be
fore he died, he was taken from the
midst of this party of friends. All were
| drunk and the floor was in a fearful
condition from the discharges from tn
mouth of the dying man. From hous e
of that sort, Mr.. Editor, does cousump
ton come. If the twenty persons il
that house do not die of coEsumptiCi
it will not be their own fault, nor III
fault of the Board of Health.
All this brings up to the long, tedioU
war of the Star for a hospital for in
curables In that, and thai alone. !
the true solution of the tubercuos !
problem-a problem more vital, if posi-
BILE, than plague. Secure us such
home, Mr. Editor, have system @
segregation, and consumption can D
successfully handled If not complete
eradicated. And that day you will nc
hear anyone crying in the streets tina
tuberculous cattle are spreading con
sumption. "
OFFER OF LAND.