LEPROSY CONTAGIOUS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2581, 26 January 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

LEPROSY CONTAGIOUS.

Lkpkosv bus been convoyed by inoculation, and is therefore almost to a certainty a contagious disease. The demonstration has been effected at the expense of a. condemned criminal in Honolulu, who had the choice oltered to him of being marched oil' to t.ho gallows or of submitting' himself as a tor pun rite for tlio experiments of the medical gentlemen forming: the Hawaiian Board of Health. Keuiiu, for that is tho name of the person who tn science has promoU-d from the condition of it murderer to tluit of a benefactor of bis species, preferred Ihe tender mercies of the doctors ro these of Jack Ketch, and ho was accordingly iifcululod with the virus of leprosy on (Juy Fuwkes Day three years ago. On the LMth of September last lie was cortiiied to be a "bcaulifal ua*o "of tubercular leprosy. Judging, however, from tho revolting description which is given of the conditiou to which he lias now been reduced, Keauu may well bo commencing to doubt tho wisdom of tho fateful choicc ho made three years ago. But, of course, that is his alfair, The part of tho business that concerns the public is the strong presumptive proof which ho has been made tho moans of affording that tho loathsome disease of leprosy may bo communicated by personal contact, and the newly discovered danger which therefore requires to bo guarded against in connection with our Eastern communications. Jt may very easily become a serious matter for those of our colonies which are in the habit of importing labourers from India and China. — Yorkshire Post.