THE MAKOGAI APPEAL.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1939, Page 6

THE MAKOGAI APPEAL.

JPEW things are better calculated to appeal to hinnan sympathy than the fate of those who are stricken with the dread disease of leprosy. Too many of these victims are doomed without hope to lingering suffering, from which they will be released only by death. Even this terrible story of affliction has its brighter side, however, not only in the great and heroic work of humanity that is being done in ministering to the lepers, but in the fact dial an appreciable proportion of those stricken by the disease are now being cured, under treatment, in which I In* use of derivalives of chanlmoogra oil fakes an important place. At Alakogai, for instance, the leper island in the Eiji group in which New Zealand has a ).»arlicill;ir interest., thirty-one patients, out of a population of 577 lepers (many of them from o’ltr mandated and other island territories', were brought last year to a state where they could be discharged. While the fight against the disease of leprosy is far from being entirely hopeless, it is carried on at great sacrifice and risk' by I he gallant souls who engage in it. No finer spirit of heroism has ever been exhibited on the battlefield, or in any test to which human beings can lie subjected, than is demanded from day to day of those who devote themselves Io the care and treatment of leper patients. It is a fact to awaken pride and to quicken sympathy that New Zealanders are playing their part in this noble mission of mercy. The present acting-medical superintendent at Alakogai, Dr. W. <l. McNaughton and Sister Al. b'idelis, of the nursing staff, are New Zealanders and several New Zealand girls have commenced I heir 1 raining for I Ik* work. <)n page 5 of today’s issue will be found a number of pictures taken at Alakogai and some particulars of what is being done there to relieve, and where that is possible to cure, the victims of one of tin 1 most terrible diseases known to humanity. Aleiilion is made also of the appeal made annually for Christmas gifts to be sent to the leper island. Under a collection scheme organised and conducted by Air. I’. .1. Twomey, of Christchurch, who has given long and devoted service to the cause of the lepers, generous consignments of Christmas gifts have been despatched from New Zealand to Alakogai for a number of years past. No doubt this kindly contribution to the needs of these whose case is very pitiful will be made again this year, and not least readily in the Wairarapa. (lifts of money or kind are solicited and may be forwarded to Air. Twomey in Christchurch. All necessary particulars are given.in the news article which has been referred to. Il may he hoped that sympathy for the lepers at Alakogai. and for those who arc giving such gallant service on their behalf, will if anything be quickened at a lime when the outlook generally for men and nations is charged heavily with anxiety.