212 Sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



most likely to be of use. Sulphur baths have also been recom- 

 mended. Cold aggravates the patients' sufferings, and fish 

 diet is supposed to make the symptoms worse, though <( believe 

 this is now a disputed point. The disease may continue for 

 many years without causing death ; when far advanced it is 

 incurable ; even in its early stages a cure is uncertain. 



While on the island Mr. Benton did untold work for the 

 lepers. He used to wash and dress some of the most pitiful 

 cases, carry them out to enjoy fresh air, feed them, cook for 

 them, and help to cheer them during their long, miserable days. 



There are some vivid glimpses of the awful experiences 

 Benton went through in some of his letters. 



Here is a perfect nightmare of a story : 



" Some of the lepers are mad and have to be kept in cages. 

 Well, one day I was going round to talk to the lunatics and 

 went inside a cage, and like a fool let the door swing to behind 

 me and it locked itself. Seeing I was locked in, the lunatic at 

 once made for me and tried to bite me. Now if there is a safe 

 recipe for getting leprosy it is a leper's bite, so I scooted round 

 for all I was worth, yelling for the keeper to come and open the 

 door. Fortunately I had the legs of the man, as one of his was 

 wooden. At last, seeing he could not catch me, the leper pulled 

 up, took off his leg and hurled it at me. Mercifully he missed 

 me and I made a dash for it, and by brandishing it with threats 

 of braining him I kept him at a distance until the keeper came 

 and let me out." 



In some cases the poor objects have no features left at all, 

 and are a " writhing mass." 



I think enough has been said to show what the life of Mr. 

 Benton was during his work on the island. I ought perhaps to 

 have said the lepers are enclosed with barbed wire, and no one 

 without a permit from the Commissioner is allowed near them. 

 The men and women live on different sides of the island. There 

 is a home for the children, looked after by some sisters from 

 St. Margaret's. They have a beautiful chapel. It is wonderful 

 what the poor little souls can do, considering their infirmities. 

 There is great rejoicing when a child leper dies, as the pain gets 

 worse as they grow older. 



Mr. Benton had enormous sympathy with the lepers, who so 

 bitterly felt their hard lot and being cut off from everything 



