Hope For Lepers.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 August 1922, Page 4

Hope For Lepers.

SUCCESSFUL QUEENSLAND TREATMENT. SYDNEY, Aug. 10

According to a report by the Queenshind Health Commission, the cure of leprosy is only a matter of time, with tlie treatment now available in Australia. ~ The Commissioner stated that 12 months ago great prominence was given in the Press to a statement that a cure for leprosy, called etliveesters, had been obtained in America. Every effort was made iiy the Department to get in touch with those controlling tile cure, hut tiie material apparently was too precious. By perseverance, however, the Health Department bail been able to obtain a small quantity of it from Honolulu. This was submitted to the Government Analyst with the antileprol refined eluuitmoOgra oil, which has been the Department’s standby, except during the war, when it was unobtainable. The inmates of the Pcd island institution hail been living i« trreat hopes of receiving some Hew treatment, but with tlie result of the analysis of the reported “new” eAlre they would he . disappointed. The analyst's report showed that the new cure was practically the suine. as nlitileprol in composition, so tlie cliaiilitioo.rra or anti-leprol treatment as carried out at Peel Island had not- yet been superseded. . ... Tlie Commissioner oxplaind tlie succor that had attended flic aiiti-lejjfoi treatment at Peel Island. During the pifst 10 vears, 20 inmates had been liberated. They had not shown any leprosf bacilli for at least 18 months prior 'to discharge on parole These liberated persons had to report to t ie Health Department every three moiit.is for at least two years. Of twenty discharged, oHly bUe had to he returned for Further treat liienL . _