Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23
LEPROSY IN THE DISTRICT
MENT MAKE DISCOVERY.
Patient Now Isolated Back of the
District Jail, Guarded in
Lone Tent.

There is a case of that dreaded disease,
leprosy, in the District Of Columbia.
Yesterday afternoon John r. Early. a
has been rooming for some time at 119
Pennsylvania avenue northwest, was
taken to government reservation number
IA, on the banks of the Eastern branch,
tent under guard.
Psychologists of the health depart
ment, after the most careful examination.
have stated that beyond doubt Early is
suffering from leprosy.
1t was first suspected that Early had
leprosy when. on Friday, not feeling well.
he called in a physician. The physician
was unable to determine the mans ILL
ness definitely, but white spots on his
forehead indicated that leprosy was his
complaint and that he was in the second
stage of the disease.
This physician Immediately reported the
matter to the health Office, and the bac-
teriologist of the office made an imme-
date examination and confirmed the par
tial diagnosis.
The officials of the public health de-
partment and Marine Hospital Service
have not yet been notified, but this will
be done Immediately.
Every effort will be made to get the
man out Of the District and back to his
home. He says he is from Lynn. N. c.
The psychologists believe the man has
had the disease fully year.
Will Seek to Remove Patient.
officials of the local health department
say they will communicate Immediately
with the state board of health of North
Carolina and endeavor to secure the ad-
mission of the man. to that state. 1t is
realized. however, that it is more than
likely the board may refuse. and in this
event, the federal government will un-
doubtedly be appealed to.
AT present tn eman is so isolated on the
government reservation mentioned that
the health officials believe there is no
danger in his presence in the District of
Columbia. They will not go so far as to
say, however. in view of the fact that
Early has had the disease for year or
more. that his contact with persons In
this city during that period or a portion
OF it, may not have transmitted the
malady.
There is absolutely no doubt. the bac-
teriologists Say. that the man has lep-
rosy He has the characteristic spots on
the face and forehead and soon, they as
sert, the last and most repulsive stage
of the disease will make it's appearance
and the mans extremities will slough
off.
The health officials evidently are much
worried over the situation. although they
do not wish to be placed in the attitude
of being alarmists. Every effort will be
made to remove the leper from the COM
munity at the earliest possible moment.
Wardell Case.
Evidence of the dread in which this
fearful disease is held has recently been
furnished in the case of Mrs. Warden,
wife Of Gen. Wardell. Mrs. Wardell went
crazy when she learned that she was a
leper. and the general, although an aged
| man. was forced to nurse her in solitude
in the wastes of Arizona. He died under
the strain. His wife. the leper maniac.
was placed in isolated confinement. but
escaped. and whole communities were
| paralyzed with fear that she might bring
| this scourge of the Orient into their midst
| So it is always and inevitably when a
| case of leprosy is discovered. For that
reason 1t is not believed the board OF
| health of North Carolina will consider the
proposition of permitting Early to re-
enter the state. This. 1t is almost GER
tain. will put It UP to the federal gov
e'a,"e"ii At a late hous last night no onicial of
the public. health and marine hospit a |
service could be reached.