The Hawaiian gazette., 1913-06-24

A crisis has been reached in the lives
Of fifteen out of the sixty-6 five patients
who are being treated at the Leah
Home. These sixty fve patients. with,
out means OF paying for treatment are
being cared for at the home without
expense 20 themselves or their friends
OF relatives. They now have more than
an equal chance under the treatment
being administered by DoctgT Sinclair,
II is believed. In a fow months, under
present conditions, they would leave
the home, victors IN the fight they are
making against the rayages OF the
dread disease from which they suffer.
lseahi Home has demonstrated that con.
sumption can be and is being cured
But crisis has been reached An the
lives Of u least fifteen of these sixty.
i've sufferers, and nnless something Is
lone they must leave the home 10 again
become crippled and menaeing nleabsrs
OF society, TO die uneared for. when aid
| extended now might result in making
them useful and valued citizens 0f the
Territory.
II has been found that the home 10
inearring deficit of about $500 l,er
month. a meeting of the trustees has
been called for today. in the absence
Of Chairman y. &. Athert0n, tho meet.
ing will probably be presided over by
George y. Castle II will, be during
this meeting that the present crisis o
the a:airs of Leah Home will be dis,
cussed. Unless the city authorities
come 10 the rescue or persons OF means
who value human life more than gold
volunteer subscriptions, il II believed
that fI. t.la4 l..
course but 10 direct that fifteen OF the
patients be dropped, sent from the
homo, and without doubt 10 certain
death.
Patients Not Informed.
The patients. IT Il said, have not been
told Of the problem that now confronts
the Leah Home trustees or Doctor Sin.
clair. The latter asked 10 be excused
from discussing this condition yester.
day, simply admitting that the hoine
is incnrriDg n deficit Of about $500 Der
month and that the time has arrived
when more funds are necessary or hf.
teen Of the free patients must be asked
10 leave the home.
city's Meager HelD.
The city Of Honolulu has been con.
hibutiDg Sl25 per month 10 the sHp.
port of the home. This is Just about |
sufficient to pay for the medicine. food |
and clothing Of three patients. Last |
week the supervisors decided TO in |
crease this amount by another &I25 |
per month. This money means reeOv.
cry, new hope, happiness, probably life |
itself 70 three more unfOTtunatos who |
otherwise might be doomed 1t is a |
voluntary contribution on the part Of |
the city, and whether the amount il |
Increased or decreased depends entirely |
upon the viewpoint which the law.
makers have Of the ife-saying work
which has been going on at this won.
derful institution
Expensive tuberculin, the most sub.
stantial food, the greatest care IN nurs.
ing and fresh air and cleanliness arc
the requisite implements needed by
Doctor Similar aud his aids in this
work. They have the cost regulated
TO tho very lowest basis, IL Is said. and
IN this way the cost of keeping each
patient AT the home averages about
Sl.49 per day. OHe plan suggested by
2 samaritan Yesterday was TO have
those who care 10 save these fifteen
suffering patients contribute for the
care Of one or more of the sufferers
according to their means.
Otherwise, the trustees fear. fifteen
Of the siNty-fye helpless men and
women, with hopes for life now bright.
must be turned out into the world with.
IN the next few days. The saddess
task Of all viii be the selection OF the
hfieen who will thus be doomed.
The Leah Home trustees and Doctor
sinclair are hoping against hope that
the crisis Is one which will be safely
ivertod. Today will tell.