The Washington times., 1904-11-06

"a viii have been successfully
u shouldered, and Ieprosy viii be
wiDed out or the Philippine ISL
ands II the present plans OF the United
States authorities are carried cut 20 the
letter.
Gathered together on the Island OF
CuliOnt near the coast Of the province
Of PaTaEua, the ten THOUSAND and odd
lepers now scattered through the archi-
pelago VIII live ana die separated from
the rest OF their kind. Although 20 seems
a cruel fata never 20 see family or
friends again, nevertheless absolute sep
aration is the only means by which the
Government can hope 60 enectually quell
the dread disease. For the natives have
little or no idea OF hygiene. They seem
10 have little fear 81 associatiug with
those who are tainted with i5prosy and
render the spread OF the disease par
tlcuIarly easv.
Quarters for the Iepers viii soon be
completed ON Cullen. and the transfer
Of the patients wi then be undertaken
The whole island several square miles
I'm extent. viii b. reserved FOR the use
Of the leners, and only the physicians.
keeDerzs and attendants VIII be allow
ed 70 land there. The island is far
enough from the coast of other islands
70 prevent the escape OF the patients
In small boats. More than loo dwell
ing houses are building. and this num-
Der viii be increased as more and more
OF the leDers are brought from their
homes 10 the new colony.
IN spite OF their isolation from the rest
OF the world the lepers should lead
happier existence in their ISLAND home
than anywhere else. They VIII no long
e. be an object OF aversion % their as
sociaLes, for all about them win be In
the same boat. With certain rules and
restrictions they viii be allowed 70 roam
about the island, which is rich On re-
sources and capable Of Offering the
lapsrs all the comforts which they can
enjoy anywhere. There IS an excellent
harbor and a hus stretch OF coast where
those Of the colony VINO are strong
enough can tish 10 their hearts content,
and never IS a Filipino so happy as
when he is fishing The land is fertile
and mauy OF the lepers who are only
in the first stages Of the disease will
Be- able 10 plant crops and occupy them
selves IN couEeniaI labor.
Lepers Shall Not Marry.
with the hops OF stamping out the
loathsous disease with the present gem
grafton or IepeFs. strict regulations
against inter-marriags viii be en-
forced In the colony, Guards win
SEE % Il that the laws OF the communl-
y are Obsyed. II. therefore. the Gov
erumsnt authorities can collect all the
lspers In the island for transfer TO
Culion. the day when leproEy win cease
- sXisI in these new possessions OF the
United States should not be. far distant
The authorities. however. do not autici-
pate an easy time gathering the lepers
together. AS soon as IL becomes widely
known that wives and daughters. and
fathers and sons are TO be torn from
their families forever. 10 Is feared that
The natives VIII become even more Sc
cretiVs about the disease than hereto
fore. They win hide away their raIa-
tives from the officers who are sent ia
search OF the 'uucIeau" Ii win not
be an agreeable task. but IL is one that
must be carried out 90 insure the health
Of the rest OF the inhabitants OF the
islands.
one circumstance that win increase
the difficulties OF collecting the leperz is
the t4cL tLaI ID Is almost impossible 10
recognize the disease ia its earliest form
Leprosy takes years 10 develop its hor-
rtbie and uunlstakabI6 signs. Men have
been known 90 live upward OF thirty
years after FIRST becoming affected with
the disease. It's beginning Is slow and
grows on the unfortunate man or woman
one Of the hrst evidences OF its presence
iE the loss OF all sensation. IL iz possible
60 run q pin into the muscles without
lnnlcung pain. This paiuleEsueas fs
the most merciful feature OF the dis
ease, ~ such q term iz possible il Is
at least q satisfaction that IL these mis-
cradle beings must suffer for years thsy
50 through lfs without experiencing
great physical pain,
The Island % CuIon has had but "a
EInsu population composed o. 800 or sg5
natives OF tue Tagabanua tribe The
land or these natives hEs been purchased
BY the Government and they wiz be
transferred % GtEarE islands. This
change win necessarily ceU for a large
outlay Of money by the Government. but
she leprosy question has become one OF
such vital Importance throughout the
Philippines that no expense WIN be
spared % 90 away with IT,