Evening star., 1901-10-16

anaesthetic leprosy rarely occur in the
same family. The three Oldest patients now
at the settlement arrived in the years 1874,
1875 and 1879, respectively.
81 saw the one who arrived In 1875 and
was surprised at the relatively slow ao-
vancement OF the disease in his case.
The number of commitments to the set
Elements each year has gradually decreased
during the past ten years. The following
shows these transactions for the time
stated:
"Commitments-ls91, 1872; 1892, 1oi; 1883.
211; 1894. 1Ss: 1895. 108; 1895, LAB: 1897. 122:
1895. 81; 1899, 81; 1900 50.
1T has been contended by some that
even the number sent up during the past
three years, while relatively smaller than
the number for the preceding years was
larger than 1t should be, IL one was to be-
lieve that leprosy was decreasing, a result
promised when the Moloksi settlement was
first established. The facts show that the
hunt throughout the islands for lepers has
never before been carried on with as much
vigor as 1t is now, and that the decrease
In the annual number of commitments 10
the greatest proof of the fact that the
disease is decreasing.
II noticed great many lepers wearing
glasses, and I saw several totally blind. ]
nearly 10 per cent Of the cases. In some
cases the blindness was caused by a SIM
pie invasion OF the optic nerve. In others
the process had spread into the anterior
CndIUD6T lTOU tH6 COIJuncllVd.
II noticed peculiar hoarseness that sew
eral Of the very sick lepers had, but the
disgusting smell that had heard so much
about 1 found no worse than that found In
almost any almshouse, however well kept
1t might be. 1t is said that those patients
having leprous ulcerations in the nose give
off a most horrible smell, unless they re-
ceive very active local treatment with anti
septics' pr11, , -
bowels is believed to be caused by swal-
lowing the pus secreted from these nasal
sores. DR.. Pratt, the executive officer OF the
board of health, told me Of a case which
had lately arrived at the settlement. in
which skin taken from several localities
showing the 1eprous process had failed to
show the bacilli, while the latter were
demonstrated at once In the nasal secre-
ton.
"A great many observers believe .hat in
fection from leprosy takes place most fre-
quently through the inhalation of duct
The fact that In the past ten years only
ten clean persons have been infected at
Molokai. notwithstanding the amount OF
dust that Is constantly present all over
the settlement, does not add weight 70 the
Inhalation theory. even though We assume
that these ten infections were caused in
this way alone
Cost of Maintenance.
"The cost OF maintaining the settlement
is much less than would be naturally ex-
pected. The general expenses are itemized
as follows:
Board and carriage for lepers, 81 900; mod
ical examinations, s., 600; freight and pas
sage, $4,000; Kslihi station expenses, sl2,.
0o0; Baldwin Home expenses. 5000 Bishop
Home expenses. e. 600; lumber and building
materials, $1,000; incidentals, 1900; medi-
cines, $4,000; beef and cattle, $40 600; poi
s26, 200; bread, 5000; rice, 5000; flour and
other supplies. $l2,5O0. Total, s1eoOO0
"In other words. nearly !. 100 persons are
housed, fed, clothed and governed for $780,
600 for two years. or for $50. 900 a year.
THAT this is a relatively small amount on
which to operate such a settlement any one
will admit. That an additional LOCO lepers
could be placed there and kept at a far
also apparent
1.-THE number of lepers the place IL capa-
BILE of accommodating is practically with
out limit, and IL occurred to me more than
once that site SO suitable and isolated
should be made more use of-that is, made
our national leper sanitarfum.
AT pm. the inspection was over and
we returned to the vessel. The band play
ed us >off and the same crowd was assem-
bled at the landing. some Of them giving
the native wall to their departing friends
We were soon on board the steamer and
on our way home. / have to thank Presi-
dent H. c. Sloggett and other members Of
the board of health, including DIR. Pratt,
the executive officer, for very many cours
tesies and much information while on this