Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-21
GREEK LEPER HERE NEARs
START ON ENDLESS ROAD
Cnfortunatc Foreigner Past Medical
Aid and Faces End OF Lonely
Existence.
INJECTION OF SERUM FAILS
Appeals Made by Richmond Officials
to Federal Government for Aid in
Case of Hogapolakis Are With
out Result.

Georgcas 1Iogapolakis. the Greek
ieper, who has been 4 charge upon
the city more than three years, is
believed to be past medical aid and
fast nearing the end of his lonely
existence. Serum obtained from the
Federal Health Department by the
City Health Department. the cure"
used with reported success in some
cases in the !epcr colony on the Is
land OF Molokoi. has been administered
by physicians of the local health bu-
reau In vain.
For more than two years HoEapola-
kis' case was considered hopeful AT
different times the eruption on his
skin seemed to be disappearing. I'm
Ill this summer the doctors had hope
FOR him. They believed that he might
live many years.
In the earlier stages Of the disease
liogapolakis exhibited viGor and
doctors. lie cultivated Il vegetable
garden and grew flowers. working
outdoors the greater part OF each
day: His appetite and his general
health we're good. During the first two
years of his isolation ut the city farm.
where lazar house was built for
him by the old Administrative Board,
he might have passed casual obscrva-
ton as Il middlc-agcd man in perfect
health.
In recent months. however, he has
been unable TO employ his muscles
Gradually he lost appetite, strength
and energy. Then he took 10 his
bed. The doctors continued to visit
him at brief intervals. administering
simple remedies. except when an oc-
casonal injection of the anti-leprosy
serum was given. suddenly the erup-
ton on arms and neck began TO
spread rapidly. Symptoms OF an adj
vanccd stage of the malady mani
Tested themselves. II was plain that
the period of dissolution had set in.
Just how long the patient can sur
Several weeks ago. Guard Crostic,
who has kept watch on the unfor
tunatc man since his isolation be-
gan, notified the health officers that
he could no longer risk his own life
by contact with the lcpcr. lie has
continued. however, to bring food,
clothing and other ncccssarics to the
lazar house. depositing them at the
door. liogapolakis has never been
so weak that he could not give per-
sonal attention to necessities of the
sick room.
Today the Greek leper. the only
problem on the hands OF the state
and city health authorities. The Fed
cral authorities have been invoked
time and again by Health Chief Levy.
who made several Intellectual efforts
to have him removed TO one OF the
several lcpcr colonies maintained by
the government DR.. Levy two years
ago Interested the United States Sur
gcon-fcncral in the case. Later Il
bill was passed by Congress. carry
ing an appropriation for the cStab-
lishmcnt cc = national lcprosarium.
hut II was found that the appropria-
ton was only sufficient to purchase
the needed tract OF land. To this
limo nothing definite has been learned
OF the progress OF the project by the
city officials.
Meantime. the ieper lies near
deaths door. The mandolin. with
which he was wont TO while away the
evening hours when his days work
was done. hangs mute on the wall
of the laZar house near his bed: he
broods continually upon his impcnd-
ing end. a dry cough has been added
TO his suffcrings--a cough which
nrhnns ihn VOICE of the E.nhlcSS Road.