, 1891-06-04

A Chinese Hospital In Brooklyn In Charge
Of Chinese Doctor.


A Chinese Hospital In brooklyn In Charge
Of Chinese Doctor.
The interest Of the Chinese embassy
in his country a few years ago was
aroused by the condition OF their sick
and destitute countrymen in New York.
The embassy made some efforts TO estab-
lish a hospital here. but failed because
there was no properly authorized physi-
clan who understood the Chinese Ian
guage. That difficulty was not solved
until when there was graduated from
the Long Island college Joseph c. Thoms,
the first Chinaman graduated from an
American medical school.
In November a number Of people in
terested in the Chinese mission work
took hold Of the project, A meeting was
held at which there were present repre-
sentatives of sixteen churches of New
York, Brooklyn and Jersey City. 1t was
determined to provide a place where i'll
Cinnamon could obtain proper treatment
and care. There are about 5000 Chinese
in New York and the immediate vicin-
ity, and not more than fifty of them are
80 situated as to possess comfortable
beds in case Of sickness. They live in
small, poorly ventilated Easements and
cellars, and can with the greatest diff
Guilty be persuaded TO enter the general
hospitals.
Chinese are particularly liable to pull
mOnary diseases. Their habits of life
and the change from their native eli
mate render consumption and phthisis
the most prevalent disease among them.
Fifteen or twenty Chinese doctors prac-
tice in Mott street. Their methods are
as crude as their ways of life. Their de-
c]Octions are things to be wondered at
and avoided. Lizards and beetles are
their favorite remedies. Fluid extracts
Of dogs tails and snakes are also used by
them.
The Chinese Hospital association was
organized to fill the want, which was An
opportunity for these abuses. The build
ing at 40 Hicks street, Brooklyn, was
hired, and DR.. Thoms was placed in
charge. He is assisted by a Chinese
nurse, who studies with him. and by
three Chinese missionaries. DIR. c. f.
Bruce, of New York; Dr.. S. r. Forman,
Of Jersey City, and Drs. n. b. Sizer and
W. A. Little, of Brooklyn, are the at
tending staff. The association is made
up Of delegates from various churches
in this and neighboring cities, and elects
a board of managers, which nave charge
Of the affairs of the hospital.
The hospital is a three story brick build
ing. There are three wards, one for one
bed, one for three and one for four. The
Kings Daughters furnished the largest
one. Everything about the hospital is
neat and well cared for. DR.. Thoms
makes a special effort to impress his pa
tients with the value of light and air.
Poor ventilation, he says, is the cause OF
half their sickness. Since the opening
the hospital has received thirty-three
patients. No contagious diseases are
treated. Most of the patients suffered
from consumption, of which eight of
them died.
Those who are in the first stages of the
disease are always advised TO go home to
China, and in several cases this advice
has been followed. Those who have the
disease in it's advanced stages are cared
for and rendered AS comfortable as pos
sible. The hospital has been full from
its beginning, and has been fairly sue
cessful in the treatment Of its patients.
The hospital has had unexpected sup
port from Mott street. Over 81 300 has
been given by the Chinese merchants.
The association hopes TO obtain a larger
building. and endeRvors to obtain sub
scriptions for that purpose, A contribu-
ton of twenty-five dollars entities a per
son to membership in the association for
one year. A contribution of $3.50 names
and one Of g 600 endOws a bed. DIR. G.
L. Bruce, 45G Lexington avenue, is the
treasurer of the association.-New York
Sun.