Woeful Plight Near Elkins--The Syrian Leper

The newspaper article you sent is titled "MAY BE DEPORTED BY U.S. GOVERNMENT." It is about a Syrian leper named George Rosten who is living in a tent on a mountainside in Randolph County, West Virginia. The article states that the people in the vicinity are "panic-stricken" over Rosten's presence, and that the West Virginia health authorities are threatening to deport him.

The article also states that Rosten has been "shunted from place to place" and that he has not been able to find a place where he can receive proper care. It is unclear how Rosten contracted leprosy, but the article suggests that he may have already been infected when he arrived in the United States four years ago.

The article is a reflection of the fear and stigma that surrounded leprosy in the early 20th century. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that can cause disfigurement and disability. It is caused by a bacteria that is transmitted through respiratory droplets or contact with the skin of an infected person.

Leprosy is curable with antibiotics, but it was not until the 1940s that effective treatments were developed. In the early 20th century, people with leprosy were often isolated from society and placed in leprosariums.

The article also highlights the xenophobia that was prevalent in the United States in the early 20th century. Immigrants from countries like Syria were often seen as a threat to public health and safety. In 1921, the United States passed the Emergency Quota Act, which severely restricted immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe.

The newspaper article is a reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding in the face of disease and disability. It is also a reminder of the dangers of xenophobia and discrimination.