To the Editor of the "Norri-Cuiwa Dat News'
SiR,—I beg to call your attention to an important programme recently undertaken by the Chinese Health Department to register all Chinese physicians practising in both the International Settlement and the Chinese Territory. The result of the registration reveals in a most astonishing nature that out of an estimated number of several thousand medical practitioners (exclude {ng the several thousands practising native medicine) only about three hundred and sixty produced qualifiations satisfactory to the Board of Examiners. This exempted group is composed of graduates from both the local and foreign universities, and there was no attempt made to subject them to further state or pro-commonly practised in foreign cou tries irrespective of the diplomas submitted by the candidates, They were passed according to their diplom by inferior or Grade C schools. If more rigid measures were enforced there should be at least 75 per cent, more of the exempted group relegated to the lot of the unqualified ones, This latter is written with the Purpose of calling the attention of the confidence of the public toward the latter.
The last and not the least important isthe indiscriminate advertising of patent medicines. Drugs claimed' to be efficaious for all acute, and chronic ailments, are hailed 23 the latest and most sensational discoveries which, according tothe opinion of the experts, have not proven scienti-tically as such. Absolute cures for. sexual impotence and venereal disorders, the publication of which is forbidden in a foreign country occupy prominent space in the lea ing Journals and newspapers. Such obscene advertisement is not only detrimental to the moral standing' of the community but also conductive to the mental deterioration of the reading public and the younger generation whoce immature mind trash.
Is it possible for the Muni Health Department to combat the existing evils independently or cooperatively with the Chinese Health there be som constructive policies outlined which would enable the authorities to eliminate the quacks: from preying on the public? Hostals should be regulated and vequired to conform to certain standards. Prescribing of narcotics and selling of questionable drugs should be placed under strict supe Visions. It is reported that the Chinese Health Commissioner wenest efforts on the part of the Municipal Health Department to keep abreast of the time in work Pertaining to public health Sanitation, no loyislatidns have been enforced in the past to regulate control the practice of medicine within the Settlement. Asa cone Sequence quackers und chavlatans flourish to an extent unparalleled the history of every' modern, metropolis. Barbers, cooks and les ha coolies enjoy the same p leges und rights to" practice. the healing art as a full-fledged grad nate from a. recognized Univers. ty, Nurses from incompetent hospitals practise on a scale unheard of in any civilized country. I personally know of one instance in Which a nurse: with some previous raining ina. foreign hospital is performing sunical operations filthy and unequipped premise, such pructieas were eon foreign coun: ty mi valieensed doctors would be oont to} 8 penitentiary. Abortion, an act of murder oF manslaughter, punish able with u penitentiary sentence varying from fifteen years to life in a foreign country, are freely practised by some unscrupulous foreign and Chines doctors. Local graduates from inferior and unrecognized schools, who had, no study ubrond but who had the good fortune to visit w foreign country on a pleasure trip, would upon their return post' themselves as graduate doctors from such and such a foreign university. Prominent ¢jtizons of the city were finduead to vouch for the authentic city of their qualifications in order'
support them in newspaper advertisements. Such practice is considered unethical in America which automatically bars the offenders from all medical societies.
The recent ordinance the doctors has met with+ violent protests from the camps of the quacks. Strong pressure was brought to bear upon the examiners who, were warned not to serve on the committee lest violent measures be retaliated, "Threatening letters of whom led to resign for fear of assassinations. Due credit must be given those who displayed unusual courage and bravery dis charging their duties in face of danger. May they be hailed as the Proud sons vf a noble cause and standard bearers of professional deals and ethics!
Hospitals, the most revered of our modern institutions, suffer no less indignity at the hands of the quacks who exploit the good name of the hospital by establishing two"By four Promises in filthy alleys. Such hospitals as these are too numerous to be mentioned. They constitute the greatest menace to a centralized hospital and would inevitably yuin made overtures to the Municipal Health Department with the view of a ce-operative action, but, owing to diplomatic diiculties, the latter powerless to act. Wherefore and why? Will Commissioner Davi give us a statement?
Tam, ete, GH, Cuaw, a1,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.