LEPER COLONY IN BRITAIN

Evening Star, Issue 19276, 15 June 1926, Page 8

LEPER COLONY IN BRITAIN

ROYAL VISITOR TO THE STRICKF.fi

PATHETIC SECRET,

Princess Marie Louise has just paid a visit to Britain’s least-known colony—it is a colony of lepers. Few people (says the ‘"Sunday Chronicle’) arc aware of the existence of the settlement, where there is the touching law that the word leprosy shall never bo mentioned. So carefully guarded is the secret of the leper colony that scores of people living in the district pass by it daily and do not know it for what it is. Hundreds of motorists and tourists have come within a few hundred yards ot it, but not one has been aware that the people living there are suffering from the most terrible of all diseases. All they see are a few small houses nestling in the heart of the country. A few cows graze in the surrounding fields, and a dog barks fiercely ot intruders. Everything looks peaceful and happy. A STAUNCH FRIEND. Apart from the heroic members of the Anglican sisterhood who are_ devoting their lives to the work of lightening the burden of the colony, all the inhabitants arc lepers. Every one is British horn, and at one time lived abroad. Isolated as they are in this rcranio refuge, and living in the strictest seclusion, they are not without their friends —men and women who form their bond with the mil or world, and who endeavor to do what little they can to make up for all that has been lost. One of the staunchest friends of the colony is Princess Marie Louise, who only recently paid it one of her many visits, and spent some time talking to the members. Before she left she declared open some extensions. THE ONLY WOMAN. There is only one woman in the colony—the widow of a leper. When her husband fell ill she stayed by his side and nursed him devotedly till the end. Some time Inter she noticed tho dread sign of the disease upon herself, and now she lives in a little bungalow, happy in the thought that a Princess likes to come and take tea with her. Another pathetic case is that of a boy of nine, who was sent to England from Brazil to ho educated. Not until he had been in this country for some time was it discovered that ho had become a victim of the scourge. His family had no idea of it, and it was only when a medical examination came to be made for another purpose that the truth came to light. He is now receiving all that modern medical science and affectionate care can provide. THE SECRET. There is a touching law in the settlement that the word leprosy shall never be mentioned. A short time ago tlio patients were informed that a new member was expected who had boon kept in ignorance of the fact that ho had contracted the disease. “ Keep the secret,” the patients were instructed. “ Don’t let him know where he has come. When he has been here some time ho can know the truth, but just now the shock may prove too much.” The ' patients kept the secret. Not until some months later, when the Mother Superior broke it gently, did the new patient learn of his affliction. There is a tfny guest-house for tho convenience of visiting relatives. * It is scarcely ever empty. But, though the colony'has its visitors from outside, and the ‘inhabitants keep in touch with their friends, only a few who come are aware that, it is leprosy that keeps the patients buried away in this quiet sanctuary. The secret is well kept.