CURED OF LEPROSY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20307, 15 July 1929, Page 10

CURED OF LEPROSY.

SIX RAROTONGAN NATIVES.

SUCCESS OF TREATMENT

Six Rarotongan natives wlio have been completely cured of leprosy on Makogai Island have boon in Auckland for a week awaiting arrangements for their return to their people. Five arc women, whose ages range from 16 to about 50 years, and one of the party is a 12 years old hoy. Makogai is about 81 miles from Suva, and the discharged patients arrived in Auckland by the Tofua. last Monday. They were not sent ashore until the next day, the Cook Islands Administration having taken steps to house them comfortably. This evening they will leave for Wellington to join the steamer for liarotonga. Some of the women have been at Makogai for a number of years. There are over 400 native patients on the island, and the few while sufferers include some New Zcalandcis.

Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health, stated yesterday that cliaulnioogra oil was cmiiributing largely to the complete cures which were being achieved. This was derived from a tropical plant and was taken internally or injected. A long period of close observation was demanded before patients were pronounced cured, said Dr. Hughes. There was not the least danger of infection from those who were so fortunate as to he able to leave Makogai.