The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1902-02-11
TUA-TUA Is
IN DEMAND
Will Be- Taken to
MoIokai BY
Reynolds.
(From Saturdays daily

Sunerirteudcnt REYNOLDS OF the lcper
settlement made a visit to the Planters
Experiment Station yesterday for the
purpose of securing a large quantity OF
the tua-tUa plant which Is 10 be Tor
warded to Molokai by order OF the Board
of Health. The demand for the tua-tua
plant since the Advertisers agitation OF
III, leper cure has thinned out the sup
ply growing there very considerably, ana
there Is hardly enough for DR.. oliver.
Not only doctors, but private parties
have been calling upon Director Eek
hardt for quantities of the tua-tna LOT
experimental purposes. young man,
white called at the experimental station
a few days ago and requested some OF
the leaves and bark, making the start
ling announcement that he had lcprosy
himself and wanted to try the remedy
which had been published in the Adve =
tiser. He said that he had already been
examined by two physicians, who had
pronounced his fears groundless; but ne
was still unsatisfed and wanted to be
certain. and cure himself II possible. A
quantity of the plant was given him, and
he promised to return and report re-
suits.
When Supt. Reynolds visited the sta
ton yesterday he was told of the Incl
dent, and will make a search for the
young man, to see If his story Is really
true. Both Mr.. Eckhardt and Supt. Rey
nolds incline to the belief that the mar
Is the victim of some hallucination, anc
is really not afflicted with the disease
His sole symptoms, according to MS
statement. was that his hands felt stiff
and panied him at times.
Supt. Reynolds will not only take aloni
plant sufficient for the connection to be
used in DIR. divers experiments, but
also intends to carry with him slips OF
the plants for transplantlng at the set
Element. An attempt will be made tt
grow the tua-tua on Moiokai, as MIR
Reynolds believes that it can be done
successfully. He thinks that there may
be some mcsit in the remedy but like
DR. Camp, expresses doubt as TO its use
by the natives. lie does not believe that
they will take any medicine which VIII
make them sick, though the possibtli y
of an ultimate cure may have some ei-
feet.
DIR. Myers, in charge of the government
dispensary, also secured a quantity oil
the plant yesterday, and will make 1t NJ
for use at the settlement. and probably
at Kalih An effort will be made alsC
to grow the plant at the Kalihi receiving
station
Director Eckhardt stated yesterday
that the shrub had been growing exceed
ingly well since 1t was first planted tive
years ago. 1t had been given no care
whatsoever, but had fourished from tn,
start. Since 1t was given so much pub
lcity in the Advertiser. there have beer
numerous requests for slips both from
physicians and others, and the remedy
will now at least have complete anc
thorough test.
DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.
The use of tua tua by others thar
medical men is strongly discountenanc
ed, as will be seen by the following
communications.
Honolulu, Feb T. 1902.
Editor Advertiser:-Public attention ha!
been directed during the last few weeks
to the alleged curative properties of tn,
tua-tua plant in leprosy, both by thu
articles appearing in the Advertiser anC
the resolution of the Board OF Health Il
further experiment as to the action o.
this remedy.
1t has been brought to my attention
that some experimenting Is being con
Quoted by others than medical men will
this plant.
desire, therefore, to warn any win
may attempt to use tua-tua, on thei
own account, that such experiments ar
attended with danger, the action u
the active principle of this plant is no
yet understood.
would be obliged, therefore. II yo'
would publish the enclosed letter iron
the United States Department of Agri
culture to Mr.. w. Maxwell, dated Marc
q 1899, which explains itself, and ma.
serve to prevent some would be expert
menter poisoning himself or others,
80 | am, dear sir,
Faithfully yours,
II. c. SLOGGETT,
President Of the Board OF Health,