FATHER DAMIEN AND THE LEPERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1554, 17 February 1887, Page 3

FATHER DAMIEN AND THE LEPERS.

Tiv; Oiuholio ’O3, & Gkrmm m *' V< publioatio ■, publiibei a letter from Fataer Damien, the miieionary priest in th© leper aettlement at Molokai, which contains the following passages:— “For about twenty years our xnoit distinguished physician* tried every poisibl' means to matter th 1 * dreadful disease, bit all their effort* failed to check the spread of the distemper. About three years ago a white man was leised with leprosy. Being very wealthy he preferred to go to Japan rather than submit to a lifelong exile at Molokai, In Japan he continued for two yean a course of hydropathic treatment under Dr Gioto. He returned hither, accompanied by the eon of Dr Goto, with every appearance of a perfect cute. About the end of last year the health committee resolved to introduce, under the supervision of Dr Goto, the Japanese treatment into the leper hospital, which is in the charge of Franciscan Sisters at Eakaako, near Honolulu. Already then I felt inclined to go to Honolulu to consult Dr 3oto about the disease, which had already made havoc with one of my ears. At that lime, however; my superiors did not consider the step advisable. Last July, however, I had occasion to personally satify myself of the success which had attended the treatment in question in the hospital of the Sisters at Kakaako, and to carefully observe its method, which consists in this Every day the leper has to take two bath* in hot water, in which a certain quantity of Japanese medicine has been dissolved. After every meal he has to take a small pill, and an hoar later an ounce of tea, prepared from the bark of a Japanese tree. This is the whole treatment. 11 Both young Dr Goto and the white patient, of whom 1 made mention above, have assured me that in Japan many a leper has been completely cured by this treatment. Whatever truth there be in this statement I must own that the improvement during those six months in the condition of many lepers, whose illness was already in a very developed state, has been simply marvellous. I think myself therefore justified in seeing in this treatment a glimpse of hope for our Soor outcast lepers of Molokai. King [alakau and his Prime Minister honored me with a visit during my short stay at the hospital at Eakaako, near Honolulu. They told me it was their intention to Introduce the Bime system of treatment in our great leper settlement. I look forward with satisfaction to the day oh which we shall receive a steam bailer whioh may heat about fifteen bath tabs at the same time. “ For a few weeks Z have undergone the treatment in question. At the same time 1 commenced the same treatment with about forty to fifty of my orphan children. We have already derived some benefit from it. My work seems lighter, and my strength it returning. Last Sunday, for instance, I said two masses and preached daring each without being obliged to sit down, and without feeling particularly wearied.”