One we had known as a
Representative, and a very intelligent one, too, in the Legislature
of 1868. On greeting him as an old-time acquaintance, he observed,
'Yes, we meet again--in this living grave!' He is a man of no
little consideration among the people, being entrusted by the Board
of Health with the care of the store which is kept here for the sale
of such goods as the people require. All do not appear to be lepers
who are leprous. We saw numbers who might pass along our streets
any day without being suspected of the taint. They had it, however,
in one way or another. Sometimes on the extremities only, eating
away the flesh and rotting the bones of the hands or feet; and
sometimes only appearing in black and indurated spots on the skin,
noticed only on a somewhat close examination. This last sort is
said to be the worst, as being most surely fatal and easiest
transmitted. We saw women who had the disease in this stage,
walking about, whom it was difficult to believe were lepers.
"If our sensibilities were shocked at the sight of the crowd of
lepers we had met at the beach, walking about in physical strength
and activity, how shall we describe our sensations in looking upon
these loathsome creatures in the hospital, in whom it was indeed
hard to recognise anything human? The rooms were cleanly kept and
well ventilated, but the atmosphere within was pervaded with the
sickening odour of the grave.
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