The San Francisco call., 1906-10-28

4 was announced in the Boston news
papers recently that Massachusetts,
had cured a leper. Investigation
proved that the announcement was
unofficial but that il had a certain
authentic foundation.
Since the establishment of the leper
colony on Penikese Island, of Buzzards
Bay last November. New Bedford cor
respondents have made the most Of all
stray bits Of gossip about the unfor-
tunate victims of the oldest plague in
history. During the winter the island
is cut OF from frequent communication
with the coast. but during the summer
2 boat plies between Cuttyhunk and
New Bedford daily. 1t is only three
quarters OF a mile TO Penikese from
Cuttyhunk. and a little motor boat
from the leper island runs over to
meet this steamboat for supplies and
mail Visitors are allowed on the ISL
and on proper business, friends OF the
physician and household relatives of
the lepers.
The story was current early in the
summer that Isabella Barros, the one
woman Ieper, was being cured. Some
persons who travel back and forth on
the Cuttyhunk boat expressed the be-
lief that thu young Portuguese woman
never had the disease at ALL else she
could not SO suddenly respond to treat
ment. Others were frightened at the
idea that leper might be released who
was by no means cured and so spread
The dread contagion.
Nor1 7lnta g 4
Iy, which, in Massachusetts has
charge Of this branch Of the public
health through its function OF caring
Tor the adult poor. visited the colony
last week on z regular errand of in
specuon- Nothing was said al the last
board meeting as TO releasing this wo-
man, because no Official communication
had been made as TO her condition.
Dr. j. P. Lewis. the State agent for the
board, said he was ignorant of any
change IN her condition. and Dr. Louis
Eomonds. the superintendent OF the
colony, had sent no report. Naturally
the board members were curious as 10
the source Of the rumor.
Dr Edmonds had this 10 say on the
DAY OF the inspection: i have issued
no statement. because 7 think it i'm
proper at this time 10 do so Neither
have been interviewed on the subject
OF the cure of Isabella Barros. II is
Irritating TO hear the gossip that pos
slpiy this woman never had leprosy.
The germ Of leprosy was discovered at
the time Of diagnosis. not once but sew
eral times. The germ exists on the MI
croscoplc plate that was made at the
time and can be seen at any time.
nevertheless, while 1t was easy to find
the germ at the time of the diagnosis
N April. 1905, and in smears taken
from the nasal cavities. and hundreds
OF the bacilli OF leprosy were found nv
Tor long period, continuing months.
70 olscoVer IN her case the existence of
the germ. have taken the test more
than twenty times
In the other cases in the colony IL is
very easy to find the germ: in her "a &c
it IS impossible. Besides the woman
shows no other symptoms She has
perfectly healthy skin and the rheu-
matte pains in the muscles have disap-
peared.
If Mrs. Barros is cured Of leprosy it
IS because Of the tonics, the wholesome
and plentiful food, the hygienic sur
rouncings, good air and freedom in
happy occupation. I take no credit in
any especial way. The glory Of a cure
belongs to the State Of Massachusetts.
her case was doubtless so mild that,
taken in its incipiency, It yielded to the
general treatment and was arrested hv
the abundant nourishment Leprosv
like tuberculosis. requires that the gem
eral system be supported with hearty
food and good air.
She Would Be Stunned.
7 would not be in favor of releasing
Mrs. Barros at present. Where would
she So2 In the old home on Cane Cod
she would be Stunned and made mis-
erable II is wiser for her to remain at
Penikese for a period such as the State
Board shall designate. This NAV be for
one year, two, or even longer She is in
no danger OF receiving further fnfec-
tion- as she lives quite apart from the
other lepers, and leprosy is not readily
contagious. 1 shall be reioiced n
eventually We may permit this woman
10 go out into the world again cured
But ] am entirely an agent in the mat
ter at the direction OF the State of
Asssac causetEs."
Members OF the State Board would
make no disclosure as to their inten-
uons with regard to releasing Mrs Bar
rcs beyond he entirely non-con1nafttal
statement that the woman might be
eventually discharged provided she con-
tinueo 10 show no symptoms for a
period that would assure them the dis
ease was not merely arrested but en-
tirely eraoicated
The story Of Isabella Barros is ex-
ceedingly tragic. She is the one woman
IN the case Of Massachusetts leper
problem, and, as usual, when q woman
enters into a problem she carries with
her romantic interest In Massachusetts,
this one woman probably provided the
sentimental impulse which made the
State realize its larger duty, duty