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 cation in order that the masses might learn 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 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. 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 |