The Washington times., 1908-08-24
Commissioner Says Physi-
clan Knows of Many Cases
in the District.
DANGER OF INFECTION
is MINIMIZED
Official Insists Many Cases of Skin
Disease Are in Reality
LeproSy.

There are many cases Of leprosy IN its
primary stages walking about Washing
ton day after day, ostensibly suffering
from skin trouble, rubbing elbows with
thousands OF others, eating in the same
restaurants, living in the same rooms,
and exposing members OF their families.
friends, and the public TO infection, ac-
cOrding to the statement of an expert
OF the Marine Hospital Service. made TO
Commissioner West yesterday,
II was talking 70 an expert OF the
Marine Hospital Service yesterday.
said the Commissioner this morning,
'and he Informed me that, as a matter
of fact, there are several cases Of iep-
rosy IN its early stages in the city OF
Washington. and that the victims are
masqueradiug as sufferers from skin
trouble"
The Commissioner declared that he
did not know the name Of The expert
who had given him the information
but that the man was an authority on
the disease having studied it for sOLle
time and made researches into the man
ner Of infection and It's cure.
West COnsults Authorities.
Commissioner West said tLat ne had
consulted medical authorities on the
subject with a view TO 'aking every
possible preCaution against the infection
Of other persons by John Eariy the
leper now quarantIned near the District
Jail
An effort viii be made, he said. to
return him at once to North Carolina.
whence he came a short Jime ago.
Since learning OF EarIy's case, said
Commissioner West. Il have consulted
medical authorities ana inquired Of med
lcal men concerning the disease. l.ep-
rIsy, u 1 am correctly informed is not
"a contagious as is generally supposed.
il fact. Z was informed yesterday by
al expert Of the Marine Hospital Ser
wee that there are in Washington per-
sons suffering from what may be termed
mild forms OF lepfosy, who are supposed
10 be the victims Of a skin disease.
"Iais phys si.,a ia .i0t appear 10 De
alarmed ever Early's case. as he says it
is only BY living wish a leper and COM
ing into direct personal contact that
the disease can be transmitted
Nan To Go To Leper Colony.
arrangements have been made to re-
move Early from the District as soon
as possible. The health office has writ
u
OF Health OF North Carolina, and an
answer from him is expected today. The
Commiss toner's, / believe. would be
within ia their legal rights in sending
Early 10 North Carolina at once. as
that is EIs home. II IS desired first,
however, TO hear from the authorities
of that State. There is a leper colony
in Louisiana, and it may be Early will
be transferred there"
CIsrv,av pT,+ Il e,,v,,5
81 there are any cases Of lenrosy IN
Washington other than the case just
discovered by the District Health De-
partment, I know nothing about it,
was the statement made this afternoon
by Assistant Surgeon General A. H.
GIennan. Of the Marine Hospital Serv-
ice, who is in charge of the department
IN the absence Of Surgeon General Wal
ter Wyman. when informed OF what an
expert of his department had said to
Commissioner West
II know Of no reason that would
prompt any officer OF the Marine Hos
pital Service TO make statement such
a. Commissioner West attributes 10 one
of them If any Of our officers or ex-
perts had reason 10 believe there We're
other cases of leprOsy, no time would
be lost IN taking action to protect the
public.
Dr. Glennan was much agitated when
the subject was brOaChed. Almost be
fore the question was aked, he regis
tered a sharp denial OF the existence Of
any such cases, and he conferred with
some OF the other officers Of the service.
who also denied knowledge Of the pres
ence OF lepers In Washington; even of
any suspected cases.
"Our work is wholly outside Wash
ingtOn," said DIT. GIeunan. "and if such
cases existed in this city, II would be
up to the Health Department TO take
care Of them and protect the public
from them, not the Marine Hospital Ser
vice"
DO you know Of any cases IN the
cOuntry?' he was asked. Are there
any under the observation of the service
In any part Of the country"
None at aN,' was the emphatic re-
sponse none at all"