The Honolulu Republican

THE LOUISIANA LEPER HOME.

Belief That Disease May be Cured in Early Stages.

NEW ORLEANS, June 30.—The Louisiana Legislature has decided to give the State Leper Commission the $40,000 it has asked for to enable it to erect a leper home; and the commission hope to get the home in order for the reception of the lepers by November, when the lease of the present home occupied by them at Indian Camp, Iberville parish, will expire. The new home, it is understood, will be much more attractive in every respect than the present quarters, an old ruined plantation residence. It will be within easy reach of New Orleans, so that the home can have the benefit of an attending physician who is an expert in leprosy, and will be on the railroad as well as on the river, with a considerable frontage on the latter, so that the home will be practically without neighbors.

Besides having the advantage of an expert physician to attend the lepers, it has been decided to separate the inmates, not only as to race and sex, but as to conditions of disease. It is believed, for instance, that persons in whom leprosy has just manifested itself may be curable, whereas those who have lost limbs are beyond the reach of medicine or treatment. Formerly, on account of accommodation, it was impossible to separate the patients and they have all been huddled together and it is believed that this has interfered with or prevented the cure of the lighter cases. By this separation it is believed much good can be accomplished. To carry out this purpose, it is intended to erect ten cottages. In each of which will be placed lepers in different stages of the disease.

With these improvements it is believed that the hospital will be admirably adapted to the treatment of leprosy in its different stages; and an attempt will be made to enforce the law, which requires the Sheriffs of the several parishes to see that all the lepers are sent to the State Hospital or Home.