The Washington herald., 1913-01-18
Chinese WOMAN
PHYSICIAN HERE
DR.. Yamei Kin Makes Address
Before National Geo.
graphic Society.
HAS AMERICAN DEGREE
Traditions of Centuries Cannot Be
Changed in a Few Years,
She Says.

DR.. Yamei Kin. the foremost woman
physician in China an unusually charm
ing little woman, addressed the NauonaI
Geographic Society at the New Masonic
Temple yesterday afternoon and even
ing on the New Woman in China. Dr
Kin was born in the Chekiang province
south Of Shanghai, of Christian parents
her father being one OF the earliest oil
chinese pastors to endeavor TO put his
church on a sef-supporting basis. Dr
Kin is a graduate OF Columbia Univers'
ity, New York. ard is one of several Chl'
nese women who have obtained the de'
gree of doctor of medicine She is one
OF the leading women Of the new Chinese
Republic. having taken a prominent part
in all movements for the advancement OF
her sex and of her country.
In opening her address, Dr. Kin SAID
the majority of people in China are
homogeneous by preference. There is now
an immense demand for books, espe-
cially those on the life of the western
peoples. They are studying the Nest
as you of the West will never study the
East" said the speaker. Speaking OF the
influence of Western ideas, she said that
while they are modifying the life there
Vet the Ideas and ideals OF thousands
OF years cannot be changed IN a very
short time. The orphan asylum where
she is visiting physician was founded 10
years ago. The government mas the
children who are there taught the nrst
step in weaving, Just as they used 10 ne
in this country; for, though machinery
is being introduced and a sewing machine
has a place in the home, yet It is thought
best not to go ahead too rapidly. Mod
crn surgery and medicine are doing mucn
for the women and children, and district
nurses who go out among the poor are
accomplishing a great work
Concerning Prisons.
Th,, women's prison has a lecture nall
according to DR.. Kin, and the authorl-
ties were much pleased on finding that
the Young woman doctor whom DR.. hin
MAS instrumental in sending there Is a
Christian, and so can preach 10 the
women, for the object is TO teach and
educate the prisoners as well as TO pun
ish them. And the more kindly idea is
placed first Some time ago DIR. Kin no
tiCed that this wOmenS prison at Ilen-
isin was clean and orderly, and yet had
10 inmates. She asked the governor OF
the prison why this was so when the
mems prison was SO full. He said ne
wished to find competent women to act
in official capacity in that section OF
the prison and when further questioned
said that women who committed crime
which called for decapitation were de-
capitated But for lesser crimes the men
relatives of the women were punished
instead of the real culprit.
1T is now quite the thing to go out
ard get ones self photographed in an
automobile in China" continued the
speaker. speaking of corrective institu-
tions for girls. She said that the home
for unfortunate girls stands in the place
Of parents for such girls. When they
have been in the home for a certain
length of time and are living good lives
they are asked at stated time every
year # they wish to marry. II they do
it is advertised that so many girls at
the home are ready to be married But
the men applying for them have to pass
a rigid examination and show that they
are engaged in some good business. Some
Of the girls may even marry small
Official.
Dr Kin said that the Chinese plan Of
r4mily life gives the girl into the guild
ing care of her husbands mother, which
is looked upon as being of help to her
after she leaves this nome. Although the
man is the head of the family in China
and really has the right Of life and death
m his family. yet very seldom is there
- man who has courage enough to i'm
pIcss his will upon his family said DR..
Kin adding that he leaves TO the women
81 the home all that pertains TO the
home.
There are some theatrical companies
made up entirely of women and man
aged by women. They are very success
full. Though factory life is not greatly
in evidence for women in China, still
there is enough of to create a problem
as to the hours OF women's labor, such
as is occupying the attention of people
IN the United States. The lecture was
illustrated with colored lantern, slides.