Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09

foreign training La rapidly Increasing Prac-
ticaiiy every missionary physician in China
suit Is that In due time the Ieayen OF for-
eign medical knowledge will have lightened
the whole lump OF Chinese medical igno-
rance, and 1t is probable that long before
China is ready to accept foreign ideas gem
orally it win be able to care for itself In a
medical way. At present the amount of TN
relieved suffering which could be relieved
under proper medical care is appalling. /.
Is one of the first things noted by foreigners
coming to China and 1t Is one of the last
things they forget 1t will be some time
before China can educate enough of its own
people to take care of this vast mass of
humanity. but the work Is being accom-
plished. and foreign medicine Is favorably
received by the people as a whole
The Chinese are favorable to the patent
medicine business If 1t can be brought
within their reach They naturally take to
such method of treating diseases. and
remedies advertised as they are In the
United States and Europe would have big
sale here provided the prices charged for
them would be within the reach of the mid
die class. The lower class Is generally too
poor to buy any remedy have the serv-
ives OF any physician which are not given
to them. They suffer simply because II is
cheaper or otherwise better than to be
cured and starve.
Opportunities for Dentists.
With regard to dentistry Consul Anderson
says:
All persons familiar with the situation
seem to agree that. owing to number of
reasons. opportunities for the successful
practice of dentistry are extremely limited.
In the first place says young American
who has had actual experience under rea-
sonably favorable conditions, the ethical
practitioner, unless willing to buy an es-
tablished practice OF work as an assistant
either for salary or commission to the
successful practitioner. will find 1t impos-
sioie to pay expenses In shorter time
than two years
The mass of Chinese are unable to pay
fees which would justify his working
among them, and the moneyed individual
ordinarily goes to the long-estabIished prac-
titioner. The British people, who largely
preponderate among foreigners in the east,
are averse to changes. They go to GER
tain dentist or dentists because they have
been there before or because their fathers
went to that dentist or his predecessor be-
fore them. OF the other nationalities the
German Is prone to patronfZe his own coun-
tryman. If possible, which Is but natural.
III after probation the new practitioner be-
comes We'll established he will find that his
office and living expenses will consume
three-fourths of his gross income. The
practitioner above quoted says:
From personal observation should say
there is not practitioner in China or
Japan who can add to his net bank balance
from dentistry alone the sum of 81 800 gold
In one year. AS his practice increases his
SoSAdA ooAi5dtioHS, anu consequently MS eX-
penses, increase in proportion 3"
Presence of Japanese.
Foreign-trained Japanese are becoming a
very important factor in the professional
situation in China and in dentistry their
work particularly Is being felt by foreign
practitioners. They are often well trained
most Of them either directly or indirectly
American trained-and they work for fees
which q foreign dentist cannot afford 10
accept. They also have the advantage in
general practice Of understanding the Chi
nese and of readily acquiring enough of the
language to materially aid them in their
work.
China has yet to recognize the part the
professions have to play In its national
dentistry never was very favorably re-
garded. although the necessity of their ex-
istence was understood. Chinese practice,
as such, is rapidly disappearing and lis
devotees are looked upon by intelligent Chi
nese as mere quacks. The Chinese are
taking to medicine and dentistry, and even
to the law, not because they regard them
favorably, perhaps. but from sheer neces-
sity. If the physician or dentist cannot
effect cure in every instance he Is i'm
medfately placed upon the defensive. With
the lawyer it is a case of consulting him
only in desperate straits. The Chinese
have no appreciation of professionalism as
such; no appreciation Of the part the pro-
LESSONS take in the development of ma
tional life; nothing more, at best than an
appreciation of them as temporary help
in time of trouble.