The following important letter has been handed to us for publication Tientsin, 3rd Sept., 1879.
Mx Dear Me. Moiuesn,—A very interesting and promising work has opened up asaresult of the successful treatment of Lady Li's case by Drs. Mackenzie, Irwin and Miss Howard. 'The two first' mentioned Doctors have been appointed official family Physicians to the Viceroy,, and i addition Dr. Mackenzie has been placed in charge of &@ Chinese Froe Hospital just established by the Viceroy at his own expense and designed to give to the natives of this place the full benefit of Foreign medicines and practice: Apart from this Hospital work just commenced and developing largely every day, the doctors—and especially Dr. Mackenzie—are being applied to for treatment by many officials and gentry. The Viceroy's initiative is having a signal effect in suddenly removing the barriers set up everything Foreign by the official and literary classes. Several successful surgical operations have been performed in the presence of the Viceroy; three of his Secretaries are now under treatment, as well as the Prefect of Ticitsin and the wife of the Customs Taotai, and yesterday a General was operated upon. These are but a few of the special calls from the higher classes; among the poor all sorts of diseases present themselves, and scores of opium smokers apply for cure, eye This Hospital has partly realized a desire long cherished by Dr. Mackenzie, and the scope of the work has far exceeded his expectations. To complete the plan of a thoroughly useful institution as originally conceived by Dr. M., and now made imperative by the unexpected development of the work, it will be necessary to have in connection with the present Hospital, which is located in the Chinese City, wards for Jnvpatiente whose cates are very serious need special or constant care. It is proposed to erect suitable buildings for this purpose in or near the Foreign Settlement, 80 as to be of easy access to Dr. Mackenzi6, and, in case of his absence, the other Doo-tors living here. It would be impossible to properly attend to critical cases if they were Kept two miles away in the Chinore city.
Fie, 2,600 to Ti, 8,000 will be nodded for these new buildings; several hundred Taels from foreigners are now in hand, and all well-to-do patients now coming under treatment are invited to contribute. It is right that this work for the especial benefit of the Chinese should be supported as far as possible by themselves. The Viceroy himself has given the buildings, the outfit, and the running expenses of the General Hospital, and has added his powerful anfu. ence and encouragement; it in therefore with more confidence that other aid can be appealed for, when the Chinese have: s0 cheerfully put their own shoulders to the wheel of progress.
I write in the hope that your Committe of the Famine Relief Fund may deem a worthy subject for consideration, We understand that the favourable prospects in the Famine districts have caused the Committee to decide that no further distribution of funds is necessary; and hence, should there be a balance still in hand, perhaps the Committee might think well of making a grant to the Hospital, with a view to establish in this close proximity to the famine districts a permanent source of benefit to suffering humanity.
It is needlees for me to commond medical work among the Chinese to one of your experience. Its effects here, after a single month of practice, have been remarkable—not alone in effecting cures of bodily ills, but also of that unhealthy moral. tate which gives rise to dislike and suspicion towards Foreigners. It is a, potent agent for breaking down the barriers of ignorance, prejudice and superstition in this country, and as such deserves well of all foreigners.
I trust that this encouraging movement may have support from the Committee.
Very truly yours, Wa. N. Peraicn.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.