The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-03
WOMAN DOCTOR IN CHINATOWN
Dr. Esther N. Box Has the confid-

Dr. Esther IT. Box Has the Conhd-
 ence of Her Chinese Patients.
 Dr. Esther M. Box is the only physi- clan in the Chinese quarter. says the New York World. Indeed, she Is the only woman practitioner among this race in America. She is young and extremely pretty little woman, not over 25. with dark eyes and hair and a sweet expression; hardly the type that would invade the homes of the Chinese. not al- ways the most pleasant to enter.
 Dr. Box is American born and very up to date, and is more than enthusiastic in her work. She is faithful to her pa- tients and her patients are faithful to her. Her practice must net her from 5000 to $s.Oo a year.
 Her office,' two-story red brick build ing. Is located at No. Mott street, just off Chatham square.
 It was strange assemblage that the World reporter ran into at Dr. Box s office. The doctor herself had not yet ar rived and the big double door was locked. but near the doorway at the top of the steps were four Chinese men patiently waiting their benefactress.
 One, who described himself as Charlie Lee. was suffering from an undigested breakfast. wo Foy had the toothache, and another Celestial sighed wearily 'Too summer" t.
 'Chinamen pay a fee of g a visit at the office, and when Dr. Box responds to a call to their homes the fee Is S. Ii Is a fact that a Chinaman. saves money for sickness. He looks upon sickness as a visitation of an evil spirit. (, .r
 "A sick Chinaman's friend and rela- tives will do all they can for him while he Is alive" said Dr. Box. "but just as soon as they know he is going to die they become terror-etricken and throw the sick man into the street. To the Chi nese death is nothing more than the evil spirit. and all run from 1t. ..,
 There has always been need of a Chi nese hospital. When Chinaman is taken away to a regular hospital it is seldom he recovers. In the first place. as 8 rule, his tea and rice are taken away and he cannot speak enough English to tell his symptoms. with the result that he grieves himself to death in many cases. There is terrible illness in the Chi nese settlement. The sanitary conditions are wretched and almost. every house Is a breeder of disease. Consumption takes off the Chinese in droves. Rheumatism claims many victims. while others die of ailments peculiar to themselves. There are now about 10000 Chinese in New York, and almost all live in China town.'' .sc ...,-
 It is to these suffering people that the brave little woman makes her visitations. She prescribes medicines. performs ope- rations and listens to the woes of the men, women and children alike. She is married to Chinese gentleman of the upper class. who is thoroughly Ameri- canized, and together the two work daily among the sick in Chinatown. Drl Box has not yet mastered the Chinese lan- gnage, and her husbands association Is invaluable.
 Dr. Box is q graduate of. the New York Woman's Medical College. class of 1SS She is considered an able prac- titioner.
 'Oh, yes. she make we'll" said a China man to me, with an affirmative shake of the head. "She make well quick Then the Chinese be glad to make pay"