The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-09-29
SEVERAL or THEN TALK ABOUT II
OPINIONS or DIS. HOWARD. GAL
sRAITH AND MCDONALD. THE
LATTER AN EXPERT.
Or. Howard Says the Trsnsmiss:on Of
Leprosy By Mosquitoes Has Beer
Observation-Disclosures Of the
PESTS Advocated.

A number Of local physicians we're
interviewed yesterday for The Repub-
lican in regard to the probability Of
ieprosy being transmitted from one
person 10 another through the mos
quito bite. The possibility OF this
method Of infection Is conceded by all
o. them. anumbeT going further and
stating that the theory is more than
probably a correct one.
DR. II. W Howard spoke strongly
in the matter There is no doubt
whatever" said he. but that the mos
quito can transmit the bacilh of lep
rosy. and that Il does do so certainly
seems most probable. Demonstrations
have been made by physicians of this
city. myself included. which have
clearly shown that mosquitoes which
have bitten persons afflicted with lep-
rosy. were inoculated with the lepTosy
bacilll, these being found both in the
blood OF the mosquito and in its bill.
by means Of the microscope. The ex-
periments made were very thorough
and the demonstrations were COM
plete The mosquito was allowed to
bite an affected part. or a leprosy
discoloration on the body Of a leper,
and was then examined under the
microscope. with the result that the
bacilii we're discovered in its blood
and on its bill This demonstration
Is proof conclusive that the mosquito
may transmit the disease from one
person TO another, for If a healthy
person were stung by such an inocu-
lated MOSQUITO II Is indeed quite i'm
probable that the poisonous bRcilli
would not take effect and produce the
disease.
In regard TO the kerosene method
Of discriminating the insect DR. How
ard said that he doubted the feasa-
biiity Of such an experiment in these
Islands. although he thought that this
and other methods should be tested
and everything done that can be done
towards the determination OF the
mosquito.
Or. Towards Ideas.
Il am afraid that the kerosene
method could not be carried out with
any very great measure of success in
Hawaii" said he. ION account of the
fact that the people depend so largely
upon foods which grow in the water.
as taro and rice: although II is true
that very thin film OF oil would
serve to kill the mosquito larvae,
think that the use Of any oil at all
would affect the tarO. which Is a very
sbsorbant plant This would prob
ably net be so IL the water were kept
over the taro al the time, but as
understand Il the water is sometimes
turned on. and this would allow the
film OF oil 10 settle on the ground.
from which Il would Immediately be
absorbed by the tsro root. which is
the part OF the plant used for
food. Rice. OF which only the fruit
or flower. Is used. would probably not
be affected by the kerosene. and
am not positive as to the taro, but
I think probably the kerosene would
render the taro root unfit for eating
There are other methods which are
being studied out and experimental
with successfully in the east, how
ever. and I see no reason why Ha-
vail should not be foremost in such
experiments. as we are certainly az
-s~s ect. There is no doubt that
hNAWcNAS VIII Attt TIC Al0cQuAA0
larvae.-the only objection TO the
method being that it probably would
be Of doubtful practicability in these
islands, Tor the reasons I have ex-
planned. There are not only taro
patches to be considered. but also the
almost countless open pools and stag
nant water holes. some Of them con.
ceaied under the houses Of the Chi
nese. aud scattered widely about the
city. The matter OF mosquito ex-
termination. however. is one that de-
serves every attention from the pub
lie and Il Is 4 matter that should be
looked lpto and studied by the Board
Of Health. II there is any effective
means o. Kidding ourselves Of the an
nOying. and even dangerous insects
We certainly should not fail TO take
advantage Of Il.
Dr. Gaibraith Is Reserved
Or Gaibraith was somewhat reserv-
cd ID his opinion as 10 the mosquitoes
cnpahiiity for Transmitting leprosy
doebt said he. but that the posi-
billty Of the thing exists. bur be-
heye It is q matter FOR the scientists
20 take hold OF I do not feel qualified
% express q further opinion on the
matter I believe. however, that the
scientists should give the question
their prompt and stndfous attention,
fer ID the event az the truth ~ the
heorv existing. something certainly
should be doae. / have not given
much sttenfie4 60 the kerosene meth
% Of determination. but | think Ho.
noiofa has nothing 20 lose hx experI.
mensinE when this method has been
used with such splendid Success il
the eastern states The arEumsnt that
the faro patches and riceaelds would
make Il diaicnlt 10 carry out the plan.
seems 20 me "a be lily taken. New
@ersey has had great success in her
experiments. and lhat state has ex-
fenslFe semi.salt water swamps.
which must have beer much harder
tc deal with than would the faro ard