New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-03
JEPROSV IN PORTO RICO
Details Of Discoveries Which Caused
Fright on the Island.

san Jpa-. p r Aug g tspeciaD.--A bad state
q. affairs has been discovered Cahras Island. on
which the leper colony OF Porto Rico IS located a.
-he entrance 10 San Juan Earbor. As q result the
Executive Council Of Porto Rico yesterday held =
Fpecisl session. by request of Acting Governor
FTartzeu and has ordered a thorough investigation
r has been believed Until this discovery. that the
leper colony has been conducted IN a manner most
--esitable 70 ell concerned. The insular govern
--e-- has been expeneing about $1,000 wear for
"a. ,,st--e,a-ce and the Director Of Charities. p.
y Osterhou6t Of Kingston. X Y, has made Hat
sering annual reports &c Governor Hunt The d.
rector went north few weeks ago 20 remain untll
November. and Or Goenaga. superintendent Of the
Insane asylum was appointed acting director
Dr. Goenags first learned that the practioante,
or assistant physician the colony. Jose Aldrioh.
vas bringing san Juan for sale chickens raised
nv the lepers Aldrfch was promptly SUSPENDED.
arrested on a criminal charge and fined $50 Dr.
c7oenaEa then went 20 the colony. where he was
rorrihe6 by what he saw and heard. He instantly
suspended Dr. Fernandez Mater. a prominent native
r.. san Juan. and who the physician in charge
r)r Goena-a then made q written report 10 Acung
Governor Hartzell as 10 why such summary action
vas taken. and il upon this report the ETecu-
7i~e Council was called together.
Dr Goenaga found dogs. goats. chickens rabbits
rvd pigs herded with the lepers the chickens nest
f-e IN the unclean beds. The patients were in a
ffhv condition. with bathing facilities ana most
of them clad in rags The food supplies stood
about exposed 20 corrption- In these surroundings
he found two patients" one old man, and the
other younger. who are not afflicted with leprosy
The old man was committed years ago as leper.
rhus being consigned 10 slow and awful death. ard
me Younger man was sent 70 the colony later
These men viii be removed this week and espe-
ciaHv quarantine6 in building now being con
structed fo~ sufficient time 70 make their re-
Jesse safe
the bay 10 Palo Saoo 70 buy provisions TAX
fng no precautions. and that paper currency has
circulated freely among the lepers and has prob
ably gone from them 70 al parts OF the island
An Investigation OF the books Of the colony
showed not single entry, although books are pro
Nded FOR the specific recording % all expenditures.
rs wen as for professional notes concerning the
patients T. the duty Of the assistant phvs-
clan 90 this under the direction Of Dr. Mater
THE i-reeula-ity Of the books or the generally
awful conditions m the colony are not denied by
10y Mater. who saws be trusted Aldrich. Il is ex-
4 '--7 80 80 = .l.Lt-Ile VII " lIial
strong probability that Nj Osterhoudt's resigns-
one Of the frst steps taken by Acting Governor
Hartzcu was 70 send Dr Hernandez president Of
practcarte and Or Schirmer. insular veterinary
Inspector. 20 Cabras Island 10 destroy every living
thing in the COLONY except the lepers A detach-
ment Of polic- accompanied the party. The lepers
S,i Tyoi aTs re as o ~ ne 5e Aig 81
being completed in TWO DAYS More than hun
bred animals and chickens were killed.
When the local press announced the arrest of
Aldrich for bringing chickens and pork into the
CITY from the colony for sale there in
slant falling on On the demand for pigs and poultry
and the market Tor these commodities stu suffers
The American housewives were more frightened
than abe natives. ana the scare. now - r-eelz's
duration. is Just SubsidinE The proximity Of the
lepsr colony 10 the city is not in itself menace IL
quarantine regulations are strictly observed. Act
inE Governor Harrzell has received mucn praise for
rs prompt campaign against the wrongdoers and
Tor his willingness that the facts should be known
by the public
There are now in the Cabras Island colony TWEEN
TN-fnree lepers. and AZ least IS many more II is
believed. scattered through Porto Rico. The
superior Board ~ Health. within whose province
IS the coordination 81 this disease. has had many
6'fHCultier contend with In its endeavor 20 de-
liver % the colony the balance ~ those afflicted
end ar large on the island One % the dificutles
IS that OF transportation after discovery, the
carriers absolutely refusing 70 bring the lepcrs
from the surrounding country The board is now
trying solve the problem by arranging for special
oXcart transportation al government expense II
Is hoped that within year all the lepers ~ Porto
J2'co VIII he segregated al the colony.