Where the United States has built, on a hitherto practically uninhabited island 200 miles southwest of Manila, a town for 3,500 lepers of the Philippines. Here the first successful effort has been made to arrest, if not actually to cure, leprosy

THE CULION LEPER COLONY AT CLOSE RANGE
The town on Culion Island, about two hundred miles from Manila, was built
under the greatest difficulties. Workmen and materials had to be transported
from Manila, and some of the machinery had to be brought from the United
States and Europe

cation in order that the masses might learn
the dangers of leprosy. They were also
to inform their people that, by modern
methods, there was reasonable hope that
the number of new cases could be greatly
reduced and that by special care the course
of the disease might be
greatly modified and
even steps taken to-
ward a cure. A few
months later a Filipino
medical officer, who
could speak the dia-
lect, would call at the
province and give pub-
lic lectures on leprosy
and often, with the
aid of lantern slides,
would show views of
the leper colony which
was then under con-
struction. As soon as
the colony was ready
to receive lepers the
present writer would
go to such provinces
with a steamer and
invite those who were
afflicted with the

disease to accompany him to Culion. It was hoped, by using methods of persuasion rather than of force. that much more rapid progress could be made in the segregation of the unfortunates. Furthermore

it was hoped, after the lepers arrived at Culion and found that they were provided with good food and living quarters and an ample supply of clothing, all without cost to them, that they would write home and encourage other unfortunates to come. This proved to be the Briefly the

case.

great majority of the lepers in the Philippine Islands were transferred to the Island of Culion without the use of force. When it is remembered that this frequently involved separating husband from wife, mother from child, brother from sister, friend from friend.

THE STORE, KITCHEN, AND TENEMENTS

The colony is a complete community in itself, embodying all the conveniences

and, furthermore, that
family ties among Fili-
pinos are very strong,
it will be appreciated
what great forbear-
ance the Filipino pub-
lic showed in not
opposing this public
health measure and
what it meant when
they assisted to carry
it into effect. In all
more than 8,000 lepers
were transferred to
Culion and, so far as
known, every person
in the Philippine
Islands who is af-
flicted with the disease
has now been segre-
gated. The present
status of the problem
is in striking con-
trast with that of 1906,
when lepers were
encountered almost everywhere without
any restrictions. In a number of in-
stances they worked in cheese factories,
as salesmen in grocery stores, as coachmen,
school teachers, clerks, in tobacco factories,
and at other similar pursuits. One of the

THE LEPERS' THEATRE AND APPROACH

The town has been completely equipped in every way to make it attractive. However, the lepers take very little interest in the esthetic element of life, with not met with complete success the result that the efforts of the authorities to beautify the colony have so far

gratifying results of the segregation of the lepers was the discovery of persons who were suffering from other diseases who had been classed as lepers and had been compelled to live with them. It often happened that these persons suffered from maladies that

could be readily cured, and in such cases they were taken to Manila or other places for treatment and upon their recovery they were restored to their homes and friends.

The present colony numbers about 3,500 lepers. They live in more than 400 nipa palm houses, each of which is large enough to accommodate from five to seven lepers. In addition there are reinforced concrete houses which are divided into six apartments, each of which is suitable for twelve

persons.
These houses are built with
ventilated tile roofs and are especially

adapted for housing persons afflicted with this disease; the ventilation is of particular importance because the disease gives rise to very unpleasant odors. In front of each house is a small flower garden and every effort is being made to insti sufficient civic pride in the lepers to maintain them; but so far these efforts have not me! with much success.

The lepers are given all possible, liberty, and to a large extent are controlled by regulations which they themselves make They are allowed to punish offenders against their own regulations. They are privileged to elect their own mayor and councilmen. A police

force composed entirely of lepers has been organized, and it is its duty to see that the

THE LEPER HOSPITAL AT CULION The special ventilation system in the roof is constructed because a continued circulation of air is desirable

in the treatment of leprosy

town is kept in good sanitary condition as well as to make arrests of offenders against their own ordinances. Each councilman is responsible for the proper housing, good order, and adjustment of complaints of the people in the section of the town which he represents.

The question of the lepers' contributing something toward their own support has received most careful attention, but on closer consideration it has been found that not much assistance in this direction can be expected. The disease soon produces contractions of the limbs, destruction of tissue, losses of fingers and toes, nervous in

volvements which result in loss of mus

us-)

a small proportion of them are capable of cular power, and general debility. Only performing sufficient manual labor neces

THE INTERIOR OF THE HOSPITAL AT CULION Before the United States established this leper colony, about 1,000 persons a year contracted the disease in the Philippine Islands. To-day the islands are practically clear of leprosy