LEPROSY OR NO LEPROSY?

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3897, 25 June 1881, Page 2

LEPROSY OR NO LEPROSY?

(To tho Editor of the^JvENiiro Stab.) . Sib,—On reading tm 4 report of s Dm Payne and Huxtable in this morning's issue of the Advertiser, I was struck with the cavalier-like manner in which this j this fearful disease has been spoken of by them. The Board of Health, anxious for the safety of the public health, gareinstructionstothe beforementioned doctors to investigate the suppositions cases, and they accordingly did so. What is. it I find from the perusal of their reports ?— (1). That Dr.Payne hus only hac| about a., month's experience of the disease at Honolulu. (2). That Dr Huxtable acknowledges his experience to be very limited in the disease. (3). That neither of the doctors can definitely state whether or not the disease is leprosy. (4). Thatthey 1 coincide in the opinion that the case bears the suspicion of presenting the first spmptams of leprosy. (5). That :iu Europeans the doctors could immediately state the nature of, the .disease, but that as the patient is a Celestial they cannot. Now, sir, I would ask (1). If they cannot definitely state whether it is leprosy or not, would it not be as well to obtain the verdict of a medical man who is acquainted with the disease? (2) If they cannot state positively what is the disease, does it not show that it is an affliction of the human frame that has not come under their notice, and of which they are .• incapable of judging ? (3). Why let the man be at large while there is any doubt on the matter? (4). Is it not better in the interests of the public health that the liberty of one subject should be temporarily sacrificed than that the health of the mass should be placed in jeopardy? (5), As tbe disease is more terrible in its nature than small-pox, should not the most stringent measures be taken to prevent an outbreak? (6). Does the Local Board of Health intend to allow the matter to rest on the reports before them from the medicos, who acknowledge that they cannot tell what the disease isf . Leprosy is not a disease to be talked or thought lightly about, and if the Board of Health do not insist on the definition of the disease being proclaimed satisfactorily they will be wanting both in common humanity, and wiil be. guilty of, a dereliction of duty.T-I remain,.yours, &c.,, . P.BO. Bono Publico.

Thames, June 25th, 1881.