The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-09
HOSPITAL FOR ALL NATIONS

iet ieVer, measles, Rheumatism in
Iiamed eyes and minor injuries oc-
cupy prominent place in the islands
case histories. Diseases like tvnhoid
IeVer or appendicitis occur about as
..en as tney would in the same num-
peI OF people remaining at home
insane people, if they can get the
necessary money, are very ant to
travel. There are several reasons for
tnls: II they suffer from delusions
Oh persecution, they are constantly
moving from place to place to escape
thelr imaginary prosecutors Then.
100 as soon as their mental peculiari-
o,eS are appreciated, they are gen
eraiiy summed and avoided by their
Irlends; hence they often go to a new
country to avoid this social ostra cism
or because they cannot longer obtain
| employment at home. Sometimes
relatives will furnish a troublesome
individual with money to emigrate in
order to escape the annoyance of his
presence.
Such aliens are frequently able To
conceal their true condition suffi-
| GENTLY to obtain admission to this
country, but occasionally they are de-
tected by the steamship surgeon VI le
en- ROUTE or are diagnosed by me
medical officers. when inspected.
| Hence the hospital receives a number
them until they are deported
The crowded condition of the steer
age especially favors the spread of
any communicable disease which hap
pens to break out in this part of the
ship Furthermore, vessels often ar
rive with a large number of children
already sick and helpless from
measles. Several years ago 2s4 cases
Of measles were taken from the steer.
age compartment Of one vessel.
Some communicable ailments
like tuberculosis, syphilis, trachoma
favus, ETC., require laboratory tests ant
other methods Of examination which
may extend over several days. Alien
Il suspected of having these diseases ar
tsent to the hospital not only to ali
; the examination, but also to assur
, that the necessary precautions ar
! taken to protect the health of thos
coming in contact with them Will
they are detained.
These cases are the most difficult t
, handle. Not realizing that they ar
sick, they cannot understand by wha
stroke of scurvy fortune they hav
y been selected from among all tn
I others and forbidden to enter tn
: promised land. The more excitabl
: burst into tears, wiring their hand
c and protest loudly against this grea
e and unexpected injustice. It is use
5. less to try to calm or reassure then
C They are not amenable to reason an
2, refuse to listen to the explanation
= offered. The more Stoical accel
l. their misfortune with sullen resigns
l. ton. They have been illtreated an
n abused all their lives; SO this new di
aster is not a matter of surprise, bl
ID is calmly accepted merely as anotht
of portion of that heritage of woe I'M
n which they have been born.
S, The social welfare of sick imm
a grants is looked after by missionari
s. and agents of various philanthrOp
l. societies which have branches pc
m manently located on Ellis Islam
le These social workers render valuab
service to patients who may be
~ need Of advice or help. This assis
G. ance covers a wide field, rangi1
es from giving them clothes or none
IN according to what may be most nee
MS full, down to writing letters to the
f. | friends.