Evening star., 1911-06-11

The first patients taken to the island
were from Cebu. They naturally pro
tested against going. but on arrival wer.
so pleased with their surroundings that
they have taken every opportunity te
express delight with conditions at the
colony and their gratitude to Uncle Sam
for so generously providing for them.
Since the work Of isolation actually be-
gan in 1906 there have been $3.50 patients
sent to Culion. The report Af the health
officer for the Philippine Iklands, DR..
Victor G. Heiser. just received in Wash
ington. says the work has been carried
kind. DR.. Heiser remarks the cheerful
manner in which the majority Of the
patients and their friends have acqufesced
when their turn came to go to CuIon
which, he says. Is most satisfactory evil
dence of the forbearance of the people
of the Philippines, and is an example of
| how well a large public health measure
may be carried out when it shows due
regard for the rights of the individual.
At Culion at the close of last year there
were about 1000 patients. All Of the
colonists seemed to be happier than ever
before. An interested and cheerful activ-
ity is shown in the cultivation of gar
dens and the establishment of barrios or
towns-small groups of houses built some
distance from the colony by the patients
themselves.
A number of causes were responsible for
this change. according to DR.. Heiser. A
great majority of the advanced cases
which reached the colony when it was
first established have passed away. OF
course. he says. this was because there
had never been any concerted effort
made along this line before, and those
first sent to the colony were in the last
stages Of the disease and could not have
lived long in any event. This naturally
caused high death rate, but now the
rate has become materially lower
Then again there Is the great improve
ment which has taken place in many
more especially the use Of crude claul-
moogra oil, which has renewed hope
among the coloniSts to marked extent.
Both of these remedies are comparative
ly new, and many scientists claim either
is q positive cure If 1t can be taken
under proper conditions.
When the United States first took pos
session OF the Philippines it was roughly
$1,000 lepers in the islands But shortly
after the active work Of segregation COM
menced it was found there were not
more than 1900 all told. At the end Of
the estimated number had been reduced
to 2620 and at the end of 1910 1t was
2.466. The reduction in the number dur
ing the first year resulted largely from
the discovery that many natives in Sa-
mar. Lyte. Masbate. Romblon and
Negros Lad been erroneously classified,
when In reality they were suffering from
some slight skin disease.
AA
One OF the beneficent results Of the
campaign Is that these unfortunates have
been restored to their .rightful social
standing. OF course, even among un-
tutored savages. when any OF them were
suspected Of having the disease. even
though 1t only slightly resenlbled 1t. they
were Stunned by their companions and
had to live the life. of an outcast. This
work Of the government clearedsup thou
sands Of cases OF this kind. and many
who were thought to be afnicted are now
enjoying their usual home life.
''The attitude OF the natives az a whole
toward the work has been admirable" re-
ports DR.. Heiser. 1.-THE separation OF
husband from wife, parent from chill
dren. or brother from sister. u heart
breaking business, especially Ia the
Philippines, whore family ties are es.