Year: 1879

A Honolulu correspondent writes: After the scouree of smallpox had swept over the Hawaiian islands some years ago, at which time compulsory Vacclnallon was resorted to, leprosy in

 creased to such an alarming extent that the government was compelled to take measures to arrest its progress. When less extreme measures failed it finally decided upon segregation, and the island of Molokoi was selected for the settle ment ecause of its peculiar natural ad- vantaSes. The trade winds sweep across it in such a direction that all the infac- tlous gases are carried out to sea instead of toward the other islands. The valley is fertile ana abundantly supplied with

 fresh water, while at its back a perpen- dicular wall of rock-called pali-rises several hundred feet, and like a grim.

 unyielding sentry seems to say, s.Thus

 far shalt thou go and no farther.'' Of course, the law met with violent opposi

 tion, for tn onatives themselves have no dread of the disease, and freely use the garments or occupy the same bed with

 leper of the worst type; and the enforce ment of the law would sunder families.

 for though husbands and wives might

 immolate themselves for each otherthey were not allowed to take healthy chii-

 dren with them. However, time has

 done much toward convincing them of the wisdom of the policy, and now op- position is rarely met with farther than in cOncealing the existence of the disease

 as long as possible. When a person is i discovered who has indications of the ! disease he is taken to the island. but in

 order that no one may be held there ! without reason each person committed 1 first receives treatment for the diseases l bearing some resemblance to it, and in

 occasional instances persons have been 1 cured and returned to their families, but

 usually the march of the disease is so rapid that two or three months make it uumistakable, and they are committed to the island for life. 4..at sa e.a4 ] The provisions for their comfort are most generous, and those who have the means to do so are allowed to built cot ! tages for their own occupation, and there l they live with as much seclusion as i

 they had the world to choose from. 1 The government has perhaps erred on | the side of mercy in allowing husbands | and wives to follow each other, for the

 only obvious blot upon the system of ! isolation is the addition to the settle

 ment by births, numbering some years as

 many as fifty-a mistaken kindness it

 would seem when the child's heritage is lOathsome disease and its care entails a

 still greater financial burden upon the government, but so far as is consistent

 with the hygienic regime established for their good they are allowed their own

 habits of life. The settlement now

 numbers eight hundred persons. at least two of whom are Americans It would

 be mistake to attribute to this afflicted

 class the intense mental or physical suffering which we are wont to imagine ! characterizes the disease, for a mereiful provision of nature brings with the dis

 ease an apathy of mind and numbness of body which prevents acute suffering.

 Indeed, it is asserted that pin may be

 thrust into any part of the diseased flesh

 without causing the slightest sensation ! of pain. @ @