THE SORELY AFFLICTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 276, 20 November 1926, Page 15

THE SORELY AFFLICTED.

WORK AMONG LEPERS. ADDRESSES AT LYCEUM CLUB. The isolation and desolation of those upon whom leprosy has laid its hand, was vividly brought before the members of the Lyceum Club yesterday by Dr. T. J. Hughes, Medical Officer of Health for Auckland, speaking for Sister Suzanne and Sister Berchsman, of the 3rd Order Regular of Mary, who are at present visiting Auckland. Sister Berchsman was prevented from being presented by indisposition, and the beautiful bouquet which Mrs. W. H. l'arkes, president, presented to both was received for her. Dr. Hughes explained that leprosy was a disease caused by a bacillus very sirfiilar to the tubercle bacillus when it was seen through a microscope, but in reality there was no connection between the two diseases. One sort of leprosy afTectcd the skin and one the nerves of the body. The results of the disease were very terrible, ulceration, and wasting of muscles followed, and usually the patient became disfigured. The disease was de same as that known in Christ's time, but all skin diseases were then classified along with leprosy, and, as lepers were disqualified from the worship of Jehovah, that was the reason why leprosy was so terribly feared. It was first brought to New Zealand by the whalers. He had only met six or seven cases in his experience in the Auckland province. It had now been decided that Makogai Island, with two smaller ones, situated near Levuka, should be a detention settlement. The main island was three miles long by one and a-half broad with four main peaks, which run steeply down to the sea. Prom the highest peak the view was tritely glorious. The island had large plantations of coconuts from which the patients extracted the oil and made Boap for the settlement. The different Islanders nad separate settlements. There were Cook Island and Fijian villages as well as the main settlement. The paths and lawns were beautifully kept, and the buildings were enamelled white, so that any dirt could be seen at once. Each village had its own headman, wao was responsible for law and order. The first lepers were sent in 1911. and since there had been about 1000 there. At present there were about 400. Ten European sisters, and eight native sisters were attached. There was a co-operative, store waich sold at the lowest cost, and at the end of the year the profits were divided among the patients. The sisters helped the doctor in operations to remove gangrenous limbs and give the injections which are used to combat the disease. Sister Suzanne, also spoke about the need to keep the patients from becoming depressed. They had a funfl which was called the Christmas Fund, which provided any little thing, like a lost pine or a tin of sardines, that tne patients needed at odd times. The sisters sometimes had not enough money and it was pathetic to. have to refuse such grievously afflicted peopl». At the conclusion of the addresses. Mrs. W. H. Parkes informed those present that t'no benevolent fund of the Welfare Circle bad given a donation to the Christmas fund for the lepers, but <n"fts from separate members would bo nl«o received.