Eighth quarterly report, including the period from January 1st to June 30th, 1838.

The total number of patients is 5600 of whom 1025 have been admitted since the last report. A smaller number has thus been admitted in any preceding equal period on account of the impracticability of treating more. The agency of patients for admission has exceeded all precedent. It has often been impossible to go or from the hospital, in consequence of the unimpartial applicants, who often feel upon their knees in the street, or in numbers so large that the whole city, including all the streets, would be filled with them, and would find it difficult to get them examined and a doc appointed for them admission. In some instances they have been forced to come to my clinic, after being told the impracticability of placing them.

As heretofore official gentlemen have been my patients. One, allowed to in the last report, has been long resident in the hospital. As illustrative of the character of the Chinese in the higher ranks and remoter provinces, and as it is our object to give impartial reports, his case is here introduced.

No. 4535. Dec. 18th, 1837. Ching Chungyew, aged 56, is a native of Keängnan. For several years he was a district magistrate in the province of Hoopih. At this date he came to the hospital, having made a journey of six weeks, to reach the provincial city. There was something imposing in the person, and prepossessing in the urbanity, of this gentleman. He came in full dress, and on being introduced, he fell upon his knees, stating his case, and what he had heard of the institution, and entreated with strong feeling that he might be admitted. During his administration as a magistrate, he said, he was often compelled to examine official papers to a late hour of the night, and from a long continuance of this practice his eyes failed him. It was extremely painful to find his case was nearly hopeless. There was adhesion of the iris to the lens in both eyes; and in the right, the irregular pupil was nearly closed, and the lenses were slightly opaque. He was just sensible to light. The little prospect of benefitting him was explained, at the same time a willingness expressed to do the utmost for him. He replied, 'I shall be extremely grateful for the slightest degree of advice that can be restored,' and that death was almost preferable to his helpless condition. He remarked, however, that he should be entirely reconciled, if received, whatever might be the result. In this he has verified his promise.

From his pulse from 90 to 100, was strong and

As heretofore official gentlemen have been my patients. One, al-
luded to in the last report, has been long resident in the hospital.
As illustrative of the character of the Chinese in the higher ranks
and remoter provinces, and as it is our object to give impartial reports,
his case is here introduced.

No. 4535. Dec. 18th, 1837. Ching Chungyew, aged 56, is a native of Keangnan. For several years he was a district magistrate in the province of Hoopih. At this date he came to the hospital, having made a journey of six weeks, to reach the provincial city. There was something imposing in the person, and prepossessing in the urbanity, of this gentleman. He came in full dress, and on being introduced, he fell upon his knees, stating his case, and what he had heard of the institution, and entreated with strong feeling that he might be admitted. During his administration as a magistrate, he said, he was often compelled to examine official papers to a late hour of the night, and from a long continuance of this practice his eyes failed him. It was extremely painful to find his case was nearly hopeless. There was adhesion of the iris to the lens in both eyes; and in the right, the irregular pupil was nearly closed, and the lenses were slightly opaque. He was just sensible to light. The little prospect of benefitting him was explained, at the same time a willingness expressed to do the utmost for him. He replied, 'I shall be extremely grateful for the slightest degree of benefit that can be restored,' and that death was almost preferable to his helpless condition. He remarked, however, that he should be entirely reconciled, if received, whatever might be the result. In this he has verified his promise.

His habits were full; his pulse, from 90 to 100, was strong and bounding. The first object was to reduce him by chathartics, and then by leeching. Belladonna immediately detached the adhesion of the iris to the lens in a degree, and the old man was elated at the change in his sense of light. In the course of a week or ten days strychnine was applied to a blistered surface at the external angle of each eye, one eighth of a grain at first, and increased to a grain, when the effect of it was painfully sensible. Subsequently a seaton was inserted in his neck, which was attended with a free discharge. This, the old gentleman seemed to regard as the most barbarous part of the treatment, and in my absence for a fortnight, discontinued it at his own discretion. Belladonna was applied at intervals. In March the strychnine was administered internally in one eighth grain pills three times daily, and increased to one fourth grain. This was continued some weeks when the spasmodic effects of it upon the system

ten years growth. When he came to the hospital a mass half the size of his head, hung loose over his right ear and down upon the back of the neck, being situated principally on the crown, back, and right sides of the head. On the 25th of April the operation was performed. The integuments were considerably thickened, but separate from the unformed mass beneath, which was dissected out, exposing the pericranium beneath. The loss of blood was considerable and the patient's fainting rendered it necessary to hasten the operation, so that a small portion of the fatty substance at one or two points was left, which otherwise had been removed. The portion of the scalp taken away was nearly large enough to cover one third of the head. From the loss of blood, the patient lost flesh for a week or fortnight, but from that time he much improved and has now more than regained his former health. The wound healed kindly and perfectly in about eight weeks, and he was discharged on the 19th June. No. 4606. Gourd-shaped tumor. December 1st, 1837. Kwan Nanking, aged 42, of Nanhae, also of a lymphatic temperament, had a tumor pendulous from the left side immediately over the hip joint, precisely resembling a gourd. Its bulbous portion was about one foot circumference, and its neck four or five inches long, and the circular

became manifest. Occasionally the patient thought he experienced a flash of light—for it was momentary—early in the morning, but perseverance with the strychnine for some time, varying the constitutional treatment according to symptoms, did not restore the vision. As a last resort, it was proposed to depress the lens, for in repeated instances of 'black cataract' with less opacity, good sight had been restored. This sensibility of light encouraged the hope that the retina and optic nerve had not entirely lost their function. The case was explained to the patient; that if sight was not restored he would only be as before, and the pain of operation was trifling. It was the only thing that remained to be done, and that were he my parent I could do no more, than what had been done for him. His feelings were quite overcome and he shed tears, not less of gratitude, than of sorrow, and desired the operation to be performed. Early in April the lens in his left eye was depressed. No inflammation followed. He slept as quietly the following as the preceding night. The degree of sight remained much the same. In about a fortnight he was discharged, when the poor man wept like a child.—He was probably as sincere a woshiper of an imaginary deity as the heathen world ever produced. He was a devoted follower of Budha. Hours were spent daily in his worship, and in extempory addresses. He was much of the time attended by two or three servants. His personal servant was as old as himself, with a long flowing jet black beard, and was unwearied in his attention to his blind master.

A few days subsequently to his leaving the hospital the servant returned with a card and the following testimonial.

> "Already it has been said, that there is nothing greater, than to preserve the heart, to benefit men, and to heal their diseases. Hence the saying, 'the excellent physician, the noble statesman;' both are equally extolled. To explain my meaning, the present Dr. Parker, is an American, intimately acquainted with the art of Ke and Kwang.* He embarked upon the ocean and came to Canton and established a hospital, practicing medicine gratuitously; and from his own stores bestowing medicines and other necessary things, endeaavoring to heal all, both far and near. Daily he treats several hundred, with skilful hand, causing the emperor to know his merits. He examines them with kindness, and for a long time, without weariness. Therefore the epithet 'Benevolent ship for affording universal help,' is most appropriate to him, even these four characters—

慈航普濟

* Celebrated Chinese physicians of antiquity.

But as mankind reverence and bless the illustrious Goddess of mercy, so Dr. Parker, with heart of parental tenderness benefiting the age, will become like the ancient Budha—it is impossible to limit his greatness.

> "I held an office in Hoopih more than thirty years, and accidentally, in the eighth month of the 17th year of Taoukwang (1837), both my eyes lost their sight. Healing medicines failed to be efficacious. His celebrity reached my ears. I then relinquished my office, came to Canton, and repaired to the hospital to be treated; and although my sight is not yet restored, nevertheless I have received the Doctor's diligent attention, and become inseparably attached to him. Truly it is impossible to forget to feel grateful towards him, and accordingly I have written and present him this testimonial.

He then proceeds to give a brief sketch of his personal history in the following words.

> "Under the heavenly dynasty, by imperial order and direction, was conferred on me the honorable office of scènchih (director and controller of affairs). Previously I had held an office in Haoukan hèen, in Haouyung foo (in the central province) of Hoopih, and was temporarily, an assistant magistrate in Eshing hèn in Seängyang foo; having obtained at the quinquenial examination the honorary title of chòe, I am now waiting for promotion upon the distinguished ocean (the arena of life?). I Ching Chungyew, worshiping have written this testimonial."