New-York tribune., 1908-06-01
DIR. KOCH AT M0L0KA[
Pleased rith Conditions-Refuses TO
Discuss Treatment.

| Honolulu May 31.-Professor Robert Koch
tbe German bacteriologist. has returned TO Hon
| olulu from visit to the leper settlement on
the island OF Molokai, whittier he went to IN
vestieate the method Of treating leprosy' Wnlch
has long been perplexing problem in these ISL
ands and in the Orient
DR. Koch was taken to Molokai the guest
Of the German Consul, William Pfotenhauer. on
| a steamer especially chartered for the trip ana
was accompanied by DR.. Walter Beyokerhon III
charge of the federal leprosy hospital: DR.. L.
E Cofer president of the United States Marine
Hospital Service at Honolulu. and H. Focke.
Chan Consul. Or. Koch made carernl eN-
animation of the settlement. taking many notes
on what he saw and interrogating many or the
lepers but he was reticent in expressing hinself
as to his experience. except on the general con-
duct and condition of the camp. Regarding the
scientific treatment of ieprosy and whether per
manent cure might be discovered as result VI
experiments now being made by scientists Dr.
Koch declined to be quoted. He said:
visited the settlement principally to learn
three things. namely: the method OF admlnlstEra- E
tion, the contentrnent and surroundings OF uhe
lepers and whether climatic racial or other con-
ditions resulted in special forms OF developm@eh1 en-
of the disease. I found the type of disease the
same as that existing in leper stations OF other
countries that have visited.
The buildings. general arrangements ana
equipment compare favorably with those exist
ing in the great leper stations in other parts or
the world. 1 found the patients well provided
for in every respect especially in the treatment
and nourishment The lepers have every reason
TO be as well satisfied and contented as could be
expected.
The lepers had no notice of the coming of DR.
Koch. They take delight in welcoming distin-
e1Iished visitors with q public gathering and
speeches, and felt chagrned that they were not
prepared to show those attentions to DR. Koch's
party. Th y learned Dr. Koch's identity.
however, and regard his visit as the most i'm
portant e, ent in the history Of their isolated
home FS7a
Dr. Koch visited first the buildings Of the
Federal Leprosy Hospital, and then the Baldwin
Home for Boys Here he examined many of
the patients. asking them about their age and
length of confinement in the settlement From
the boys home DR.. Koch. went to the Bishop
Home for Girls. which is in charge of the Fran
ciscan Sisters and thence to the Bayview Home,
where patients in advanced stages are cared for
He had long talk with DR.. ". J. Goodhue, set
tlement physician, regarding the treatment and
progress of the disease, showing much interest
in Dr. Goodhue's experience.
Dr. Koch talked with DR.. Goodhue about the
administration of the settlement, the content
mept of the Iepers and how they liked the treat
nent He asked why exact census of lepers
in the islands as shown by nasal secretions or
by other efficient means, had not been made. II
was explained that public sentiment among Ha-
waiians would not permit this. DR.. Koch said
that such an examination, which is now made in
Germany, would be valuable giving data from
which 10 judge of the effectiveness of segrega-
| ton.
DR. Koch visited the grave of Father Damien
who gave up his life in the service Of the lepers
and talked with Brother Dutton. Father Damien s
] companion.