HARRY LOREN ARNOLD, JR.

Dr. Arnold, Jr. attended Punahou School in Honolulu and graduated at 15 years of age. He received his AB cum laude in 1932 from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan and his medical degree from University of Michigan Medical School with distinction in 1935. He completed his internship at University Hospital (Michigan) 1935-36 and was a dermatology resident at the same institution from 1936-37. He received his master's degree in dermatology and syphilology from University of Michigan Medical School in 1939. He was an Instructor in Dermatology at University of Michigan Medical School 1937-39.

He returned to Hawaii in 1939 and was licensed in Hawaii in 1939. He began his professional career as a Dermatologist at Straub Clinic and specialist in leprosy. He was on the active staff of Queen's Hospital, Straub Clinic and Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and courtesy staff at Kuakini Hospital. Dr. Arnold, Jr. was Clinical Professor in Dermatology at University of Hawaii, John A. Burns Medical School. He was Consultant at Tripler Hospital, Kula Sanitarium, Lanai Hospital, State Hospital, Shriner's Hospital, Leahi Hospital and Kauikeolani Children's Hospital.

Dr. Arnold, Jr. served as editor of the Hawaii Medical Journal when it was first published in 1941 and remained in that position until he moved to San Francisco in 1983. As an etymologist, he set high standards for articles which were published in the Hawaii Medical Journal. He had authored and published almost 200 professional articles during his career, 13 monographs and four books. He was co-author of the 4th edition of Andrews Dermatology. He was a frequent contributor to letters to the editor of newspapers and wrote newspaper articles with strong opinions on controversial subjects including sex education, fireworks control, simple language in court, fluoridation, capital punishment and gun control, all of which he favored.

His interest in leprosy led him to international conferences and many congresses on the subject. He served as corresponding editor for the Pacific Area of the International Journal of Leprosy of the International Leprosy Association. In an editorial in 1968 he proposed a radical position in the treatment of leprosy patients at home based on the observation that leprosy was contagious to only the two percent of the population who was susceptible. And resistance can be increased by drug therapy given to children from families with the condition since children are more susceptible than adults. In 1952 Dr. Arnold devised a test that could be used to rule out leprosy in a skin disorder. He was a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and Syphilology's Publication Committee.

After he retired from Straub Clinic and Hospital, he opened an office at Queen's Physicians' Office Building, Suite 412, 1380 Lusitana Street.

Dr. Arnold, Jr. was a member of numerous professional organizations locally, nationally as well as internationally. He also served in various positions in these organizations: American Academy of Dermatology and Syphilolgy, vice-president 1965, President-elect 1974-75 (reorganized), President 1975-76; American Dermatological Association; American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene; Society of Investigative Dermatology; International Society of Tropical Dermatology, Vice-President (at founding meeting) 1961-64; International Leprosy Association; American Medical Writers Association; American College of Physicians; American Medical Association, Chairman Section on Dermatology 1964-65; Territorial/Hawaii Medical Association, Secretary 1946-49, President-elect 1950-51, President 1951-52; Honolulu County Medical Society, Treasurer 1945-46, Secretary 1946-48, vice-president 1948-49, President 1949-50. He also served on the planning and program committees. There were further services on numerous committees. He was also a member of the Hawaii Board of Medical Examiners, Secretary 1960-63; Pacific Dermatological Association, Board of Directors 1964-65; Honolulu Dermatological Society, Secretary-Treasurer 1950-54; 1959; Hawaii Delegate to Sixth International Leprosy Congress 1953; Oahu Health Council, President 1955; Honolulu Chamber of Commerce, Chairman Public Health Committee 1950, Director 1951-54; 1960-63; American Cancer Society Oahu Unit, Chairman Executive Committee 1964-65, Director 1965-66; Hawaii Academy of Science, President 1952; Department of Health Hansen's Disease Advisory Committee 1950-1966?; Blood Bank of Hawaii; Mental Hygiene Association; Pacific Coast Dermatology Society; Cuban Dermatology Society.

Dr. Arnold, Jr. held memberships in honorary and fraternal organizations, including: Sigma Xi, Zeta Psi, Nu Sigma Nu, Alpha Omega Alpha, Phi Kappa Phi.

His other affiliations included: Mime Club, Friars Club, Galen Club, Kailua Racquet Club, Outrigger Canoe Club, Honolulu Wine and Food Society, Honolulu Automobile Club, Director 1961-65, Honolulu Press Club, Victor Vaughan Historical Society, Hawaiian Historical Society, and the Hillebrand Society for Medical History.

In 1977 he was presented the A.H. Robins Award for Community Service by the Hawaii Medical Association. The Dermatology Foundation recognized Dr. Arnold, Jr. as "Practitioner of the Year" in 1983. On the 25th anniversary of the Hawaii Medical Journal he was honored in a special issue September/October 1966. He was recognized in "Who's Who in Hawaii" in 1947 and named in "Who's Who in America" 1968. In 1974 he was one of 13 Hawaii residents named in the new "Who's Who" nationally and internationally. When he turned 70 his colleagues celebrated his 41 years editorship of the Hawaii Medical Journal with a special issue called a FESTSCHRIFT, translated roughly as a "festival issue".

Dr. Arnold, Jr. married Sara Joan Taylor, and they had 2 children, Sara Ann Taylor and Charles. He married Jeanne Prevost in July 1942 in Berkeley, California, and they had 3 children, Susan M. Von Geldern, John P. and Harry L. III. Jeanne Prevost Arnold died on January 31, 1983. Dr. Arnold, Jr. married Jean Harman of San Francisco in December 1983.

He had many interests which included nature lore, equestrianism, bridge, chess, oenology, etymology, cooking especially brioche and other breads and a gourmet chef. It was said that he usually could not say what he had for lunch because he always read something - a medical journal, a tome by Kant or a murder mystery. He is best described as a warm family man, community activist, meticulous linguist, scholar and avid reader.

Dr. Arnold, Jr. died on August 13, 1991 at age 79 in San Francisco, California from cancer complications. He was survived by his wife Jean, 2 daughters, 3 sons, 6 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Sally Lowrey.

First Posted: June 22, 2000

Medicine in Hawaii: Oral History Series

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