The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1908-02-24

where 1t may be obtained by medical |
men who are in charge of leprosariums
in different parts of the world Neither
Doctor Goodhue nor his assistant, DR.. !
HOLMAN, displays fear of contagicn, |
and their only precaution seems to be
cleanliness. They live with their wives
at Kalaupapa The settlement en-
braces ten miles, and over this land
the lepers are free to wander. Many
of them own horses, and horse back
riding is one of the amusements.
While segregation causes great grief
at first, this distress wears away in
time, and altogether the patients seem
to be a rather cOntented lot of people.
The leper is in far better condition in
segregation, because of the medical at
tentiOn. Home life is enjoyed among
the people, for the leper is allowed to
marry, or, if already married, the wife
may bring her husband, or the hus-
band may bring his wife The non
lepers become helpers at the settle
ment Many of the homes are well
kept and surrounded by flowers Lit
tie cooking is done, as in leprosy there
is an absence of the sense of touch, and
the person might be seriously burned
without feeling any pain.
Female children born in these homes
are removed as soon as possible to
the Kapiolani Girls Home near Homo
lulu. The home for boys is not yet
completed, and male children who are
not adopted by relatives must remain
at the settlement for the present. The
disease is not always hereditary, and
out of one hundred and five girls rear
ed at the Kapiolam Home during the
last twenty-One years, only six have
returned to the settlement Even these
might have escaped if they could have
been separated from their parents at
birth. In order to avoid this in the
future, a day nursery is being built
for the children, where they will be
kept until removed to the home.
The Baldwin Home is for young
men, and was the gift of one of the
sugar barons of the islands. 1t is
presided over by Brother Joseph Dut-
ton, who, during the Civil War was an
officer in the Union army. This once
gallant officer determined to devote
his life to the care of the lepers. He
came to Molokai twenty years ago and
was associated with Father Damien,
who died in his arms Brother Dut-
ton perhaps understands the Hawaiian
character better than any one else at
the settlement. He is unceasing in
his labors, and refuses pay for his SER
vices. The Baldwin Home is located
at Kalawao. the smaller of the two
villages. The Bishop Home at Kalau-
papa is maintained for young girls,
and the Bay View Home for the hous-
ing and care of aged and infirm vic
Tins
Mplokai Us cosmopolitan, and a
glance at the report of the different
nationalities afflicted shows that le-
prosy is not a respecter of race They
embrace British, French, Canadian,
German, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian
japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Korean
Filipino, Tahitian and South Sea Isl
ands. Seven hundred and twenty
G9bt are Hawatle..S and eight are
Americans. The latter have rot lost
their Yankee grit, and one is the store.
, keeper of Kalaupapa and another a
marine engineer. The leper is not
forced to work. If he cares to labor
he is paid fair wages, or he may engage
in a little business enterprise of his
own. There is considerable socia,
bility among the residents, and as the
Hawaiian is born sport" horse
racing is one of the leading amuse-
ments. Some have good voices and
several glee clubs furnish music; there
is a shooting range, an athletic club
and two brass bands that give frequent
concerts. They are also natural ora
| tors or takers. The disease has moi
: robbed them of the franchise, and thei,
votes are eagerly sought Politica
meetings are held, and of the siXteer
permits issued to visitors during si2
, months, eleven were to political speak
, ers searching for votes. There Is
frequent picnicking on the slopes o
the pail.
Before segregation was thoroughly
| understood, there was difficulty in ap
= pretending suspected persons. There
p are physicians in all parts of the
islands who report suspected cases t.
the Board of Health. An invitation il
, then sent to the suspect" and he o
she is asked to come to the receiving
. station near Honolulu for an examin
r. alton. If the patient is found fret
, from the disease, he is allowed to g,
and all the expense is borne by the ter
I ritOTial government. If the bacilli arr
found, the test is made again anC
again by several physicians, and final!
t the leper is ordered to Molokai. Ever
S after that there is yet hope, and tn
,,fin,,f e, .,v,,tfv,og yot,,rNoI F,- ~,