SUICIDE OF A CHINESE LEPER.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, 28 January 1880, Page 2

SUICIDE OF A CHINESE LEPER.

Two Chinamen suffering from leprosy. ' we learn from the Sydney Evening News, 3 were recently discovered at Botany road, r Waterloo, near Sydney. On the news fc becoming known amongst the inhabitants in the neighbourhood great excitement prevailed, the general impression being that leprosy is a contagious disease. I Sergeant Brad well, without waiting for official instructions took immediate step 9 to isolate the two Chinamen,, and stationed a constable near the hut to prevent *U communication with the sufferers. Oo Thursday Sergeant Bradwell went to see whether Wong Hung was getting better, but on knocking at the door, he received no reply, and thinking that something must be wrong, he forcibly broke open the door. On entering the hufe a most ghastly sight presented itself to his eyes. Wong Hung was lying on some bare boards, presenting a horrible appearance. His body had the appearance of a charred corpse, the disease haying taken hold of him from the crown of his head to the sole ] of his feet. Portions of his fingers were eaten away. There were large dry sores on his ears, face, and the palms of his hands, and his shins, the soles of his feet were scarified. He showed no signs of t life, and the sergeant, finding a pipe and 3 opium by his side, presumed that the man . had poisoned himself. Drs. Egan and , Halkett were called in, and, ammonia , was applied to the Chinaman's nostrils, $ and brandy administered to restore animation, but all in vain. As a last resource a stomach pump was procured, and the docl tors succeeded in bringing up a large i quantity of fluid containing opium. 3 Wong Hang, however died after 2 o'clock, f The deceased was 48 years of age, and a r boxmaker by tra^e* The City Coroner I dispensed with an inquest, as it would be ; difficult to get a jury to go near the > deceased. The surviving Chinaman ajso; presented a hideous sight. He was selling ; vegetables in the street till lately, The i Chinese themselves could not be got to go near their afflicted countrymen for any money, as they were afraid of catching the the disease.