Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-24
TO SEND LEPER AWAY
District Health Department
Taking Every Precaution.
NO. FEAR OF INFECTION
That Is the Claim of Many Medical
Experts.
PATIENT IS MOST HOPEFUL
Says Teachings Of Christianity Are
His Support-Morbid Crowd
Visits His Lonely Tent.
PATIENT IS MOST HOP

John r. Early. the leper of Lynn. who
is confined in a guarded tent on the banks
of the Eastern branch. back of the local
Jail. will be sent out of the District as
soon as the health department can manage
it. Meanwhile everybody knows there is
a case of the ancient, dreaded disease in
the city and most people are figuring on
the chances of it's spread.
Usually when visitor to the capital is
discovered to have a contagious or infec-
tious disease the sufferer is cared for in
one of the local institutions, where proper
precautions in the way of isolation and
disinfection may be observed. But with
leprOsy other measures are necessary.
There are no facilities here for its treat
ment, nor is it considered likely the local
health department could find sufficient
ly large corps of assistants to care for
the patient during the inevitably long
period of sickness.
Up to North Carolina.
Harry c. Mclean, chief clerk of the health
department and acting health officer in
the absence of DR.. William c.. Wood
ward, who is in Canada, has written a
letter to DIR. Richard A. Lewis, presi-
dent of the state board of health of
North Carolina, explaining all the de-
receive Early in his home Jurisdiction
and make necessary arrangements to
have the man conveyed to North Caro-
lima. A reply is expected to the letter
probably tomorrow. In the meantime Mr.
Mclean has instituted a careful inquiry
to ascertain whether there is a statute
on the books which will enable the Dis
trict of Columbia to be relieved of the
responsibility of caring for Early in case
North Carolina refuses to receive him
Speaking of this phase of the matter
this morning. the acting health officer
said he has addressed a communication
to the authorities Of the public health
and marine hospital service. asking them
for advice, and also for such assistance
as they may be able to offer Incidental
ly the question arose this morning wheth-
er the War Department might be appeal
ed to successfully for aid. because of the
practical certainty that Early contracted
the dread disease during his service in
the regular army, probably in the Phil
ippines. but it was established that Early
as a discharged soldier. is no longer a
charge OF the War Department.
No Danger Of Infection.
II can see the case in no other light at
the present time than that Early must
be cared for by the District health de-
partment," said Acting Health Officer
Mclean this morning. 1.-The possibility
of danger of infection is practically elm
mated and the man is safely and COM
fOrtably quartered in our tent on the
shore of the Eastern branch of the Po-
tomac. OF course we regard 1t as in
cumbent on the state of North Carolina
to assume responsibility for Early, be-
cause it appears that either Lynn, Polk
county. or Canton, Haywood county. that
state, is the only legal residence he can
claim. Early is not only willing but
anxious to return to the place where his
wife and baby daughter live, and where
he can see them occasionally even though
| they may not be permitted to assist in
nursing him. But If North Carolina will
not have him 1 believe it will be incum-
bent on the District of Columbia to bear
the burden
Congress Must Provide.
The care of Early, in this latter event.
| would be provided out of the annual ap-
preparation by Congress for the treat
ment of infectious and contagious dis
| eases This item in the appropriation
amounts to 5000, and it will be annie
to furnish guards. medicines and any
thing Early may need, even to the con-
| StTuctlOn Oh winter quarters
for him, in event there is no serious
| outbreak of smallpox. The greatest diff
| ficulty in this contingency would be in
maintaining the quarantine over the in
definite period that the unfortunate man
must wait for the inevitable end.
Early a Pathetic Figure.
Earlys position is particularly pa
| thetic He is only thirty-fve years of
| age, and he faces the possibility not
only of being alone among strangers
during the long illness which must pre-
cede death. but the absolute certainty of a
horrible death.
If North Carolina will not permit him
to return to the toWn where his family
resides. his wife and baby daughter I'M
doubtedly will come TO Washington To
| see him. Even then Mrs. Early and the