The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-06-06
IS READY.
FOR GARDEN
ISLAND
Hanalei Cleaned Up by
Way Of Preliminary
Work.
FIGHT TUBERCULOSIS
Alarming Spread Of Dis
ease Attracts Boards
Attention.
FIGHT TUBERCULOSIS

Honolulu is not alone in sanitary re-
invenation, according to the report of |
DIR. J. S. B. Pratt, general health officer I
of the board of health, who returned ,
yesterday from ten-day stay on Kauai,
during which time he directed SAM
tary campaign in certain parts of the
island and made general inspection in
the remaining districts. The informa-
ton which he has gathered is expected
to prove of great Importance to the
board in adjusting the new sanitation
system which will be extended to Kauai
on July /, under the terms of the laws
passed by the last legislature.
The only place where sanitation
campaign was carried on was at Hama
4 lei. and from Doctor Pratt's report 1T
seems that a much greater readiness to
cooperate with the health officials was
\ evineed by everybody in the north
Kauai port than locally.
The prime motive of Doctor Pratt 's
visit was the inspection OF conditions
with view of ascertaining the cause
of the alarming spread of tuberculosis
ON the Garden Island. Deaths on
Kauai from this cause have been so
frequent in the statistical reports of the
board of health that it was determined
to turn especial attention to the sub
iect, and this Doctor Pratt has done.
His notes comprise a complete his
tory of tuberculosis on Kauai, or Its
more recent and most dangerous period,
and these will doubtless be exemplifed
in written report to the president of
the board of health within the next
few days.
He found that the spread of tuber-
culosis commenced. about two years
ago, before which time it had not as
snned the proportions which it has
since He is convinced that, the habits
of the Hawaiians, who are almost the
only sufferers, and particularly their
table habits, have been responsible for
the spread, and this opinion is strength
>ened by the fact that most of the cases
are of intestinal tuberculosis, resolving
into tubercular pericarditis and result
ing in death. He believes that the first
case, however, was pulmonary.
The habit of eating with the hand
from a common bowl, of moving from
house to house frequently, leaving the
succeeding family to move in before il
is cleaned OF disinfected, and numerous
other causes are contributOry, in the
Doctors opinion, to the spread of the
disease.
In one family, which formerly mum
bered fifteen, eleven had died from
tuberculosis, including both children
and adults. Doctor Pratt ordered thu
house disinfeeted and destroyed, par
of the lumber being burnt and the own
I'D en- ranfiliZa FIJI
rest.
The health officer observed a re
markable aversion to fresh air whicl
seems to be peculiar to Kauai. No
only do the Hawaiians shut all tn
doors and windows before retiring, blu
in some instances hang bags over tn
windows and stuff up the cracks wit
rags. On this procedure the docto
places some of the blame for the fear
full mortality from tuberculosis.
The same procedure adopted in tn
case of what he calls the tubercnlosi
shack was applied elsewhere in Hana
lei Valley, and The residents tiirned on
with hearty goodwill and aided him a
far as possible, > Leantos We're tor
down, Kitchens rebuilt, sewerage an
drainage defects remedied as far a
possible and all other orders and sui
gestions carried out at once. All tn
buildings were ordered whitewashe'
but as there was not a bit of lime
Hanalei at the time, this could not /
done at once. The residents, howeve
sent Immediately to Honolulu for !
and the doctor received message jul
before he left to the effect that II
whtewashing of Hanalei had cor
menced. Wainiha Valley and Haer
81 lie. od --bsla 1nnlysnn, IN
the tuberculosis problem.
Other places visited by Doctor Pra
were the Kilauea and Kealia plant
tions, Kappa Village. Lihue, Kolo
Eleele, Waimea and Kekaha. At !
other place beside Hanalei, howevf
was any actual sanitation work don
although notes were gathered viii
will act as the basis for a great de
of work of this kind to be done in Z
future.
Some of the plantation camps visit
were in quite fair condition, but Othe
were not so good, none of them bel
as well ordered OF cared for as a
those on Hawaii which the board h
cleaned up and put in order, althOu
they are no worse than those Hawaii
plantations we're before the board
health took hold.
Most Of the camps are hitnat
where proper drainage and sewera
can be secured, although some 9
wrongly located.
The main trouble with the santa
arrangements on the plantations y
the disposition Of the waste wal
Doctor Pratt secured a number
photos 70 illustrate hia report, a
those seleeted lypify some eondltis
that Indicate that some of the Kai
conditions are worse than some Of
worse features which our foeal aani