The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-04

in the conscience, but as the disease progresses the conscience becomes weaker and finally becomes parayzed. 1t fails to respond and warn Us to action when there is danger.
 Another prominent symptom of leprosy 1 is the formation of tubercles. These are nodules of newly formed tissue of low vitality which tend to break down and form horrible offensive ulcers. These ul- cers continue to enlarge and eat into the tissues until finally the part affected is entirely destroyed. This disease in it's steady progress sometimes amputates the fingers or toes or other parts of the body.
 Do you wonder that these poor unfor- tinates arc cast aside with the cry un- clean ringing in their ears. These nodules may appear in any part of the body, and when they occur upon the face, thickening the tissues and distorting the features they produce a characteristic appearance which has been termed the leontine eX- pression. Tho disease as 1t advances thus i shows itself in the expression How true is this also of the disease sin As an example may be mentioned the bloted face of the drunkard with the ! bloodshot eye and the enlarged red pro- boscis the so-caled grog blossom. Go if you will to the rogucs gallery-but q glance is necessary to diagnose this grave uiScaSt m DiOSI every case. | HIS SNlHptuili exists in all degrees, depending upon the severity and the length of time it has existed.
 Other symptoms of leprosy are atrophies and deformities. As the disease pro- gresses parts of the body become wasted and deformed.
 And so it is with the soul infected with sin; it also becomes~wasted and deformed. . As the leper is robbed by the diseased l condition of his usefulness in the physi- cal sphere, so is the soul robbed by the disease of sin of its usefulness in the higher life
 What the Outcome. What will be the outcome? Flo" leprosy several cures have been claimed but the great majority of cases progress slowly but surely until death finally ends the suffering. In the disease sin there is a possibility of cure in every case If the patient will but take the treatment.
 How true is the old saying that an ounce of preventive is worth pound of cure. By segregation and the gathering into colonies to themselves. the spread of the disease, leprosy, has in many places been checked. mad if these methods are strictly followed for several generations it is possibility that the disease may in time be entirely stamped out. As for the grave disease. sin, many are the forces that are now in operation to prevent it's spread. As one of the most successful l may mention the Young Mems Christian association. Our churches with their Sunday schools and other or ganizations are all waging war against this dread disease.
 In our great cities many important steps have been, taken. Certain great evils have been isolated and by law confined to certain districts. This is a step in the right direction, but only a step. The Anti Saloon league is an organfzation which is fighting another great evil, and we wish it an early and glorious victory. So l might mention many other forces that are drawn up in line of battle against this plague if my limited time and your pa tience would permit.
 Needfu Treatment. Now for few words as to treatment. The treatment of leprosy is purely symp- tomatic as there is no known specific for this disease, and it ara dually progresses until death finally puts an end to suf- fering.
 To those suffering with the grave dis ease sin. l will say that there is one, the Great Physician, who never fails to produce a cure if the patient will but take the treatment. He alone has the specific for this disease. I fear that in this as in other diseases many patients attempt to treat themselves, but their treatment is purely symptomatie.
 In this class we find the moraist. Such treatment is good as far as it goes, but it don't go far enough. It would be like giving opium for thorn in the flesh, and not removing the thorn.
 My friends. seek the Great Physician and keep in touch with Him and thus enjoy immunity to this great disease, this leprosy of the soul.