Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-01
SCIENTIST PAYS
VISIT TO FAMED
LEPER COLONY
Or. ROBERT KOCH TAKES
COPI0US NOTES
BAcTERloLooIsT MAY EVOLVE
CURE FOR TROUBLE
Is Reticent Concerning Remedy; but
Asks Questions That Show His
Deep Interest In Loath-
some Disease
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
HONOLULU, May 31.-Professor DR..
Robert Koch. the eminent German bac-
terlologist, who for some time has been
staying in Honolulu on his trip around
the world, returned here today from
visit to the famous leper settlement on
the Island of Molokai, whittier he went
for the purpose of investigating the
method of treating leprosy, which has
long been perplexing problem IN
these islands and in the orient.
DIR. Koch was taken to Molokai as
the guest of the German consul, Will
liam Pfotenhauer, on the Chilean
steamer Ke Au Hou, especially char
tered for the trip, and was accompanied
by DR.. Walter Brinkerhoff, in charge OF
the federal leporsarium, DR.. l.. E.
Cofer, head of the United States ma
rine hospital service at Honolulu, and
III. Focke, Chilean consul here.
Dr. Koch made a most careful ex-
animation of the settlement, taking
many notes on what he saw and ques-
tioning many of the unfortunates but
was reticent In expressing himself, ex-
ceps on the general conduct and condi-
tion of the camp. AS to the scientific
treatment of the dread disease and
whether a permanent cure might be
discovered as result of experiments
clined to be quoted.
Purpose of visl.
81 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.
ioff
type of disease the same as that exist
ing in leper stations of other countries
which | have visited, The buildings,
general arrangements and equipment
compare favorably with those existing
in the great leper stations in other
parts of the world"
II consider the patients well provided
for in every respect, especially in
treatment and nourishment. The 1ep-
ers have every reason to be as well
satisfied and contented as could be ex-
pected"
The lepers had no notice of the COM
| ing Of the great German scientist and
tsvere rather taken by surprise. TheJ
taks delight In welcoming distinguished
Visitors with public gathering ant
speeches. and felt chagrined that they
were not prepared to show these atten-
tinos to the party. They soon learned
DR.. Koch's Identity however and re-
garded his visit as the most important
event in the history of their isolated
and almost hopeless home.
Takes Copious Notes
DIR. Koch took notes on everything
he saw and made a thorough inquiry
into the individual and hopeless cases
He visited first the buildings being
erected for the federal leprosarium, and
then the Baldwin Home for Boys. He
examined many Of the patients, ques-
tioning them 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 Sisters, and
thence to the Bay View home, where
patients in the most advanced stages
are cared for. He conferred at length
with Dr. w. J. Goodhue, the settlement
phys regarding the treatment and
progress of the disease, displaying
much interest in DIR. Goodhue's ex-
plantations.
He asked as to the lepers' content
ment and how they liked the treat
ment. He asked why an exact census
of the lepers in the islands. as shown
by nasal secretions or by other efficient
means, had not been made. 1T was ex-
planned that public sentiJ lent among
Hawaiians would not peri lit of this.
DIR. Koch declared such an examina-
tion as now made in Germany would
be valuable as giving precise data from
Which to judge of the effectiveness OF
aggregation.
II DIR. Koch visited the grave of Father
\ amien, who gave - his life in the
vice of the lepers, q, 4 talked with
"A Sther Dutton, Father Damien's COM
pa Non.