The Washington times., 1908-08-27
CHASTITY NECKLACE
PLANNED FOR LEPER
Coats Head Suspended
About His Neck War
ranted to Cure.

Suspend the head OF "a goat around
the neck Of the afflicted Ieper. and IL
VIII cure him perfectly. This may seem
foolish in these days, but there is moth
ing like trying.
While the Health Department the
War Department. and the state of
North Carolina are wrestling with the
problem OF who should care for John
Early. the leper now confined IN q tent
just outside the city. the health officers
are receiving a gFeat deal Of free ad-
vice how to care for and cure the an
fortunate man. The quotation above Is
the latest
A letter WAS received today from New
York, evidently from woman. written
IN a rather scrawlings irregular hand.
upon a single sheet of note paper. It
gaid: Having read an account Of
case Of leprosy IN your city i suggest
ana hope you will give this trial. II
you possibly can obtain the following,
suspend the head of a gOac around the
neck OF the afflicted, and viii cure him
perfectly. This may seem foolish IN
these days. but nothing Ike trying.
Sympathizer."
Acting Health Oficer MacLean, how
ever. did not seem inclined TO try the
remedy which takes the prize for novelty.
The writer did not say how long the
goats head was 10 remain about the
Iepers neck nor did she furnish any
further directions FOR continuing the
treatment
Have No Accommodations
Or. MacLean held an informal con
sultation with officials at the War De
,,..r r-r..,a,+ rbfe v-aor,,9vor IN .ecarfofT ff
the Federal Government had any place
TO which they could send Early. mas
much as ne probably contracted the
disease during service in the Philippines.
The acting health officer was informed
that the war Department had no ac-
coiamodations whatever for the leprous
patient aud that he would have 10 re-
main for the present at least. in charge
of the District
The technical question as 10 whether
the Government was under obligations
to care for the man, in view OF his
long military service. was not taken
intC consideration, although II may be
formally put up 10 the department later
IN evehS North Carolina refuses 10 take
Early back and TO care for him at
Lynn, where his wife and hid now
are.
Since the telegram and letter advising
1.-THE local authorities that the matter had
been put up 20 the attorney general Of
the State, the health Office has heard
nothing further from North Carolina.
/ The impression Is growing that Early
may have 10 spend many a weary day
! IN his little tent on the eastern branch
of the Potomac
An Ideal Patient.
s-The District could not ask for a more
/ ideal patient" said DR.. MacLean today
! He never utters word 0f complaint,
/ accepting his unfortunate position with
| true fortitude. So conscientious Is the
man that were il not for the curious
public. I believe we might remove the
guards and ne would never go beyond
the lines marked out TO him.
/ The statement made at the War De
| partment today that the Federal Gov
| ernment had nowhere TO send iepef
] means that the District VIII probably
| care Tor the unfortunate man for some
/ time. We are doing all We can TO make
him comfortable, for he is worthy OF
/ every attention
He does nor need anything, bat it
/ mas occurred 10 me that possibly his
/ wife and child will sooner or later need
1 assistance. / believe this department
/ would be glad 10 head a subscription 70
| help them out. II IS caee that ap-
! peals TO every heart and 10 every phil
/ anthrOPist."
/ The past three days have been doublv
hard on the isolated man on account
of he weather. He has received sew
era letters from his wife and relatives.
witch have had the effect Of both COM
forting and saddening him, for his
/ whole thought is not OF himself. but
/ whether he viii be permitted 10 return
/ 10 his Old home again 20 see his loved
/ ones.
Rather Expensive.
| II Early remains in the care Of the
District 1t is probable a little home VIII
be built for him and that he may be
given a little patch Of ground 10 till.
/ This plan was informally talked OF at
the Health Office this morning.
! Ia is now costing the District from $l2
10 s14 per day to care for Early There
| is no inconvenience at all. for he IS
such q good patient" said DR.. Mclean.
/ -but~the expense is rather heavy and iC
/ is for this reason that the District
1 thinks he should be cared for BY his
own State