TREATMENT OF LEPERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18171, 17 August 1922, Page 7

TREATMENT OF LEPERS.

NEW SAMOAN ARRANGEMENT. BETTER CHANCE OF RECOVERY. The problem of the lepers at Samoa, of whom there were always a dozen or more, had recently been solved by transferring them to the leper station of the Fiji Government at the island of Makogai, stated Mr. R. D. Gray, Secretary for External Affairs, in an interview yesterday.' Formerly, Samoan lepers had been isolated on a small island at the eastern end of Upolu, and arrangements for proper treatment had been difficult and unsatisfactory. The present arrangement had been made as the result of 18 months' negotiations with . the Fijian Government, and would not only secure for the afflicted a better chance of recovery, but would also effect considerable savings on the former methods of treatment. The cost would bo buttle by the Samoan civil administration. . ':•'• The Makogai leper station was a very fine establishment, and great success had attended its work already. The lepers went, cheerfully and willingly to their new abode, as they were aware that cures were being effected... at Makogai, which in all respects was as. well staffed and eauipped as the American station at Molokai. in the Hawaiian group, which had been made famous by its associations with ! Father Damieh. ; The transport of the lepers over 600 ! miles of ocean, from Samoa to Makogai, ' in a small auxiliary motor ketch, was no small feat, but fine weather' favoured the two tripsj which were necessary. Dr. T. R. Ritchie, of the New Zealand Health "Department, and at present health officer , at Samoa, made the two journeys, and hia ; work in this connection was worthy of commendation. Samoa possessed a yery fine medical service, said-Mr. Gray, and it was safe to yay that Apia Hospital wan as fine an institution as could be found anywhere in the^ Pacific. Considerable additions had recently been made in the ward accommodation, and special provision was mad* for the treatment and study of tropical diseases, of which, with the exception of malaria, Samoa had its share. ; A good laboratory was attached to the institution, and at present negotiations were proceeding between the New Zealand Gdver?n»f n i< n< * tf,e School of Tropical Medicine, ,to: secure the services of an expeTt. The latter would make bis headquarters in Samoa, and continue the research work initiated about two yean ago by.a special commission from the school, headed by Dr. .O'Connor, who is nojr thehead of the London school. j