The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-08
A-TUA IS
IN DEMAND
Will Be Taken to
MoIokai by
Reynolds.
LEpER
TRYS THE PLANT
President SIossett Warns Others
Than Medical Men From
Using the Shrub.

settlement made visit to the Planters
Experiment Station yesterday for tn
purpose of securing a large quantity o
the tua-tua plant which is 10 be for
warded to Molokai by order OF the Boar,
OF Health. The demand for the tua-tu,
plant since the Advertisers agitation o
1.-THE leper cure has thinned out the sup
ply growing there very considerably, ant
there is hardly enough for DR.. Oliver.
Not only doctors, but private partie!
have been calling upon Director Eek
hardt for quantities of the tua-tua fol
experimental purposes. A young man, q
white, called at the experimental station
a few days ago and requested some oil
| the leaves and bark, making the start
| ling announcement that he had leprosy
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
was still unsatisfed and wanted to be
certain, and cure himself if 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 ne 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-
No irn1 20 81, hnl; tIa%
is the victim of some hallucination, and
is really not afflicted with the disease.
His sole symptoms, according to his
statement, was that his hands felt stiff
and panied him at times
Supt. Reynolds will not only take along
plant sufficient for the concoction to be
used in Dr. divers experiments, but
also intends to carry with him slips of
the plants for transplanting at the set
Element. An attempt will be made to
grow the tua-tua on Molokai, as Mr..
Reynolds believes that it can be done
He thinks that there may
be some merit in the remedy, but like
Dr. Camp, expresses doubt as to its use
by the natives. He does not believe that
they will take any medicine which wllt
make them sick, though the possibiIi y
of ultimate cure may have some eff
feet.
DIR. Myers, in charge of the government
also secured a quantity of
the plant yesterday, and VIII make it up
for use at the settlement, and probably
at Kalihi. An effort will be made also
to grow the plant at the Kalihi receiving
station
Director Ecksardt stated yesterday
that the shrub had been growing exceed
ingly well since it was first planted two
years ago. 1t had been given no care
whatsoever, but had fiourished from the
start Since it was gwen so much pub
Lefty in the Advertiser, there have been
numerous requests for slips both from
physicians and others, and the remedy
will now at least have a complete and
test.
DANGER To THE PUBLIC.
The use of tua tua by others than
medical men is strongly discountenanc-
ed, as viii be seen by the following
communication
Honolulu, Feb. :, 1902.
Editor Advertiser:-Public attention has
)een directed during the last few weeks
% the alleged curative properties of the
-ua-tua plant in leprosy, both by the
articles appearing in the Advertiser and
he resolution OF the Board OF Health to
further experiment as to the action OF
his remedy.
1t has been brought to my attention
hat some experimenting is being CON
luoted by others than medical men with
his plant
I desire therefore to warn any who
may attempt TO use tua-tua, on their
lwn account. that such experiments are
attended with danger. as the action OF
he active pri8c pie of this plant is not
yet understood.
1 would be obliged. therefore. If you
would publish the enclosed letter from
he United States Department of Agri-
culture to Mr.. W. Maxwell dated March
3. 1889. which explains Itself, and may
serve 10 prevent some would be expert
nenter poisoning himself or others.
I am. dear sir.
Faithfully yours,
H C SLOGG EFT.