The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-06-01
DR.. KOCH VISITS
LEPER ISLAND
Noted German Scientist In
veStigateS Methods of
Treatment.
MAKES THOROUGH INQUIRY
CONSIDERS THE PATIENTS ARE
WELL TREATED.

Honolulu. May 3f.-Professor DR.. Rob
ert Koch, the eminent German bacteFiolo-
gist, who for some time has been stay
ing in Honolulu on his trip around the
world returned today from a visit TO the
famous leper settlement on the island of
Molokai. whittier he went for the purpose
of investigating the method of treating
leprcsy which has long been a perpleX-
ing problem in these islands and in the
Orient
DR.. Koch was taken to Molokai as the
guest of the German consul, William
Pfotenhauer. on the Chilean steamer lie
Au Hou, especially chartered for the trip
and was accompanied by DR.. Walter
Brickerhoff in charge of the federal
leprOsarlum, DR.. l.. z. COfer, president
of the United States marine hospital
service at Honolulu. and II. Focke, Chill
can consul here. DR.. Koch made a most
careful examination of the settlement,
taking many notes on what he saw and
questioning many of the unfOrtunates,
but was reticent in expressing himself
except on the general conduct and con-
dftion of the camp. As 10 the scientific
treatment of the dread disease. whether
a permanent cure might be discovered as
result of experiments now being made
by scientists, he declined to be quoted.
Purpose of the Visit.
Il visited the settlement" said DR..
Koch. principally TO learn three things,
namely, the method of administration, the
contentment and surroundings OF the
lepers, and whether climatic, racial or
other conditions resulted in special forms
of development of the disease. AS re-
suit of my visit ! found the type of dis
ease the same as that existing in leper
stations Of other countries which ! have
visited. The buildings. general arrange
ments and equipment compare faYorably
with those existing in the great leper
stations in other parts of the world. /
consider the n9I1pnTg well nTON16pd for
in every respect, especially in treatment
and nOurishment The lepers have every
reason TO be as we'll satisfied and con-
tented as could be expected
Lepers Taken by Surprise.
The lepers had no notice of the COM
ing of the great German scientist and
were rather taken by surprise. They take
delight IN welcoming distinguished Vlsl-
tors with public gathering and speeches
and felt chagrined that they were not
prepared to show these attentions to the
party. They soon learned Dr.. hOchs
identity, however, and regarded his visit
as the most important event in the his
tory of their isolated and almost hopeless
home.
DR.. Koch took notes on everything he
saw and made a thorough inquiry into
individual and hopeless cases.
He visited first the buildings being
erected for the federal leprosarium, and
then the Baldwin home for boys.
Patients Questioned.
Here he examined many of the patients,
questioning themsr regarding their age and
the length of time they had been in the
settlement. From the boys home DIR.
Koch went to the Bishop home for girls
which is in charge of the Franciscan sis
ters and thence TO the Bayyiew home.
where patients IN the most advanced
stages are cared for. He conferred at
length with DR.. w. j. GOOdhue. the set
Element physician, regarding the treat
ment and progress of the disease, dis
playing much interest in DR.. Goodhue's
experience.
Leper Census Not Taken.
DR.. Koch questioned DIR. Goodhue at
length as TO the administration of the
settlement. the contentment of the lepers
and how they liked the treatment He
asked why an exact census of the lepers
in the islands as shown by nasal secre-
lions or BY other efficient means, had
not been made. 1t was explained that
public sentiment among Hawaiians would
not permit of this. DR.. Koch declared
such an examination, which is now made
I'm Germany. would be valuable as giving
precise data from which to judge of the
OF segregation.
DR.. Koch visited the grave of Father
Damien. who gave up his life in the SER
vice of the lepers, and talked with Brother
Dutton, Father Damien's companion.