The Hawaiian gazette., 1907-05-31
LEPR0SAR|UM
WORK WANTED

WUIIN WHIvILU
An attempt is being made by Presi.
dent Pinkham, of the Board of Health,
to induce the Federal authorities to
begin at once on their work Of scien.
tifcally seeking cure for leprosy,
instead of waiting for the completion
Of the Leprosarium on Molokai. Presi.
dent Pinkham s plan Is outlined in the
report made by him at the regular
meeting of the Board of Health yes.
terday afternoon, in which he said:
1T is three years since, the United
States Leprosarium was suggested, and
two years since the appropriation was
granted by Congress. Owing to tech
nicalities, bids in excess of the amount
appropriated. etc, no start has been
made, and there are no immediate pros
poets of the work being undertaken
or should work be begun that the plant
will be available for two years.
81 have taken the liberty to in
quire of Or. Brinckerhoff IL the depart
ment would accept a proposition to
temporarily occupy the Improvement
above suggested and proceed at once
with the work until the station in
Molokai Is established.
"The buildings at Kalihi can be com.
pleted on or before October /. If the
plan is approved of by all concerned
the United States scientists and prac-
titioners can begin their work at once.
81 apprehend the only difficulty will
be the Interpretation the auditor of
the United States may declare as to
whether the appropriation for main
tenance of the Molokai station can
be used temporarily for similar OBJ
ject carried on at the Kalihi Receiv-
ing Station. The matter has been SUBJ
mitted to the Surgeon General at Wash
ington.
"There are in addition newly built
and repaired accommodations at Kali
hi for twenty-four patients.
'We have now regularly employed
special nurse for the oversight of
the unfortunate leper girls and chill
dren while detained at Kalihi, fact
that is exceedingly gratifying to me.
THE LAUNDRY QUESTION.
"The closing of the public wash
house, at Iwilei, forces serious prob
lem upon the Board of Health whose
consent is necessary to the establish
ment of substitute laundries.
"In few countries are more frequent
changes of wash clothing required than
here, and laundry bills to persons of
moderate means are formidable.
1.-THE Chinese in their way have
been able to meet this necessity at
prices for laundrying within reach of
moderate incomes.
''The government washhouses were
none too sanitary and embraced the
peculiarly unhygienic feature of human
habitations practically in the same
room laundry operations were carried
on.
81 have stated to various applicants
desiring the legal approval of the
Board, that / did not think the Board
would permit human habitation in the
same room or directly connecting rooms
with those in which washing is car
ried on.
81 also have advised the Chinese
to form an association, or at least a
very limited number of associations,
these associations to build their wash
houses under the specifications aud
plans the Board would outline in de-
.ail, which plans while simple and com
inexpensive would insure
being carried on under posi-
i've sanitary and hygienic conditions.
~ have stated the Board would |
lot approve of numerous scattered
and that such projects would |
De more expensive than associated |
facilities.
81 consider this serious matter
'or the Board can not watch an un-
United number of washhouses.
"Public health in this Territory re-
luires unceaslng vigilance and private
lights should be made to yield to the
necessary for sound public
health. 5Ri
cit is wholly unnecessary to force
either the public to higher cost laun-
Trying or to cause the laundrymen
expenditure for a plant,
,r its operation.
cit is good opportunity to en-
'orce proper and American methods
# human habitation, lesson Orientals
iced to be taught.
~ would suggest the department of
public Works be requested to continue
he operation of the Iwilei govern
nent washhouses temporarily, under
ONE practicable arrangement until
private washhouses can be constructed.
''Since writing the above / am in
ormed the Chinese are prepared to
,uild too first-class washhouses pro-
losing to organize directly after the
Board approves of the sites they sug-
est, one site being on Parker lane,
fl Liliha street, and one on Ward
treet, Kewalo.
10 INTER-ISLAND QUARANTINE.
"While public health has not been
ormal during April and May there
as been no good reason for appre-
ensions and unwise exaggerated
ossip that has been floating through +,
ut the Territory, especially as to inter
land quarantine.
OFFICER APPOINTED. {
The report of the President was APP
roved of and accepted, the only other {
ork of the Board, beyond the dis l
ission of the various matters dealt r
it'll in the report being the appoint Y
cnt of G. IL. Tracy as chief sanitary Y
iicer and inspector of cemeteries, an
lice formerly held by him,