Evening star., 1909-05-16
NO DECISION REACHED
Dr.. Bu|keIey Still Engaged on
Ear|y's Case.
ANNOYED AT PUBLICITY
Says His Report Will Be Placed in
Proper Hands.
HEALTH OFFICER IS SURPRISED
Regards the Visit Of the New York
Specialist to Leper Camp With
out Permit Discourteous.
HEALTH OFFICER IS SURPRISED

! Special Dispatch to The Star.
NEW YORK, May 15.-Dr. L. Duncan
Bulkeley, the eminent skin specialist,
has not given any definite decision in the
case of John r. Early. the alleged leper,
now isolated firm all but his wife and
baby in Washington.
When seen by a representative OF Ihe
Star at his residence, 531 Madison ave-
nue.. today, DR.. Buckley was annoyed to
know that his name was to be publicly
connected with the case, evidently deslr-
ing the utmost secrecy.
Finally, however, he admitted that he
had been engaged to diagnose the Early
case, and stated that his report had not
been made, either in full or in part. The
doctor reluctantly admitted that he had
written an opinion, but declared that
that opinion was not based on laboratory
tests
I'm fact" said DR.. Bulkefey. "the work
of the laboratory on specimens of the
Early blood has hardly begun | and
my associates have come to no definite
conclusion as yet. We could not assured
ly base any opinion on chemical analyses,
for they have not been concluded
Dr. Bulkeley refused to express an
opinion on the basis OF the chemical
tests SO far as made.
when my work is finished" declared
the doctor. ''the results will be placed in
the proper form and In the proper hands
shall have nothing to give to the public.
Information shall and must come from
the parties to whom I make my report.
The doctor would not say whether he
was engaged by Mrs. Early or the Dis
trict government officials. DR.. Bulkeley
had read the published reports of the
case but declined to comment on them
other than above.
Visit Regarded as Discourteous.
Health Officer Woodward was some
what surprised last evening when told
that DR.. L. Duncan Bulkeley of New
York had corobborated the statement OF
York had corroborated the statement OF
the District authorities as leper. that
he had examined the alleged leper and
taken blood from him for his laboratory
test. DR.. Woodward stated further that
he was surprised at the position Dr.
Bulkeley is said to have taken. taken; aa, pr.
aware that Early is on government
reservation and that he is really gov
ernment patient.
But. as / have always stated" said
the health officer, "the department has
not the slightest objection to any reputable
physician visiting Early and making an
examination. The department maintains.
however, that there Is a proper way OF
doing it. and 1 think Dr. Bulkeley was
discourteous, to say the least. All that is
asked Is that the department be satisfied
that the man is reputable physician,
| and that could not be questioned in the
present case. but 1t is not for a watch
man to determine that question. The de-
partment should determine the question
and not the watchman on duty.
ANY reputable physician who wants to
see Early or any patient In charge OF the
health department." the health sI officer fiji sr
to establish his identity. In the case Of
Early l should think visiting physician
would rather get the information about
the case from medical men who have
been In attendance than to rely upon the
patient for his information
Under Government Supervision.
In the case under discussion, the health
officer stated the patient seems to be
wholly under the supervision of the gov
ernment. being the occupant of house
owned by the government and upon an
inclosed reservation. Replying to state
ment made by DR.. Bulkeley as to who
had employed him in the case. DR.. Wood
ward said he was certain the District
government had nothing to do with such
employment but could not say as to Mrs.
Early. Mrs. Early told a Star reporter
three days ago that she had procured the
services Of the specialist through friends
Mr.. and Mrs. Early and relatives are
awaiting the result Of the test that Is
being made in New York with more than
ordinary interest although favorable
report, 1t is stated. would by no means
mean his immediate discharge from the
co-called leper camp. The physician In
charge of contagious diseases says he fs
confident Early has the leprosy, several
qualified physicians having so stated, the
cultures taken at the time he was quar-
!! antined giving additional evidence of it.
1t Is stated that unless there Is some other
demonstration any effort made by Early
to be discharged will have to be deter
mined by the courts.
Mrs. Early May Get Report.
There is nothing to indicate who is to
receive the report OF DIR. Bulkeley other
than the statement of Mrs. Early that
he was employed through friends 1t is
taken that his report will eventually reach
Mrs. Early, and should 1t contain the
statement that Early Is not leper an
EFFORT will probably be made to have him
released from quarantine. The health de-
partment officials will then have ADDITION
al tests made, it is thought. In order to
be in a position to meet any claim the
Earlys may set up.
Should the report of DR.. Bulkeley be
unfavorable to Early. the latter may
make appncatlon 70 be Teinoscu 10 SoHie
pNace away from his present surround
ings 1t is his belief that the conditions
about the house in which he is living are
such as to give him malaria. Mosquitoes
are numerous about the marsh and COM
plaint is made that there is an objection
able dump not far away. While 1t is
true that friends are permitted to visit
his family and the latter are able to con-
verse with him, it is stated. it Is equally
true that most of the persons he sees are
members of the chain gang wearing
stripes. Early thinks he is entitled to
better surroundings.