Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1911-04-01

and got an authentic record of that
priests work, read and reread it, then
the mind of the man was at rest. He
had found his place in the world. He
decided to get to the stricken islands
speedily as he could. He announced
his intention to the Superior of the
Redemptorists and he applauded the
courage of the convert. He settled his
accounts with the world, entered into
communication with Father Damien,
and in the summer of 1886 sailed from
San Francisco. On July 20 he arrived
at Molokai and turned his back forever
on the higher civilization behind him.
Assistant of Father Damien.
In the beginning Brother Joseph
lived in a cabin and assisted Father
Damien in the numerous improve
ments that were undertaken, in his
spare hours making a thorough study
of leprosy, its origin and development.
Brother Joseph in those days was
hopeful. He leaned to the opinion
that the disease was durable. He
made experiments that attracted the
attention Of celebrated bacteriolo-
gists, though none will admit that lep-
rosy can be cured. DR.. P. A Morrow
of New York was one of the experts
that investigated the brothers expert
ments, and he has now in his posses
sion the plates of two blind lepers
upon whom the brother made his
first experiment. Since the American
occupation there have been numerous
changes introduced in the manner of
treatment of the disease. The gov
eminent has built leprosarium, and
some of the ablest minds have been
engaged in seemingly fruitless war
fare. There has been no visible ar
resting of the progress of leprosy.
The afflicted come and go. Death does
not diminish the ranks and it never
can, the experts will tell you, until
perfect isolation is enforced. The
government added to Brother Jo-
seph's labors by placing him in
charge of the Baldwin Home for leper
men and boys. He is assisted by four
brothers of the Sacred Heart, also,
like himself, consecrated to the work
of nursing the afflicted. He rises
early. attends prayers and hears mass,
then gives an hour or so to the ad-
ministrative part of his duties. The
rest of the day is given to nursing his
patients, studying the cases of new
corners, teaching the boys the ele-
mentary sciences, encouraging them
in healthy exercise.
His "QuTet Hour"
Night brings his quiet hour" He
| finds time to continue his studies of
| leprosy, read the papers, write to his
friends and contribute an occasional
article to papers Those who knew
the dashing young lieutenant of the
/ ,f III
years ago would scarcely recognize
ferently dressed old man that goes
here and there among his incurable
| friends. Some have seen IN him a
| likeness of William Morris. the poet.
There is this distinction: Brother Jo-
seph lacks the sad, melancholy ex-
preston of the eye. Brother Joseph
is soldier who long ago trampled
fear under foot. He is as cheerful
as the native youths that gather
| about him to hear a story, all uncon-
| scious, some of them, of the terrible
scourge in their system. 1t is evident
that it is not human courage alone
that sustains this man.
Modern Methods at Mo;okai.
Molokai has long since ceased to be
a terror to the natives afflicted by
this horrible scourge, SO much SO that
the law. is now seldom invoked to
drag the infected from hiding places
Years of intelligent devotion and the
steady upward movement and the in
PRODUCTION of modern methods OF
treatment have banished from the
minds of the natives the idea that
Molokai is q penal institution Now
adays it is common occurrence for
+ those who believe themselves to be
infected to place themselves in the
hands of government physicians, and
these are to be found in every dis
trict- If the first examination shows
the patient to have symptoms the
president of the board of health is
Immediately informed
He requests the patient to go tc
the receiving station The bacfIIi OF
leprosy are found in the tissues of the
body, and on the disclosures of the
microscope depend the liberty of q
Fsuspect- If no bacilli are discovered
certificate to that effect is made on,
and the patient allowed to go home
Should the preliminary examination
show bacflli the patient is held for