Of the total number of 268 deaths recurring in the hospital, 106 died ^4 hours after admission to the hosvital and this alone indicates with what difficulties the staff had to cope due to the fact that in most cases the children are only brought to the hospital when their ailments have made vast progress There was a high rate of mortality during the first few months of operations but this was mainly due to the poor conditions existing in the various refugee camps where the patients had lived.
Financially, the hospital depends entirely on support from organizations and individuals, donations coming mainly from the organizations which make regular contributions and which have 0.05 enabled the Board of Directors to fix a monthly budget of $3,000. The total expenditure for the year has been $36,225.19 of which about one third was spent On salaries. Considering, however, that there are some 24 doctors, most Of whom devote al their time to the work in the hospital, and that particularly in a Clildren hospital a large nursing staff is required. this amount is very reasonable.
Malnutrition was the worst enemy which doctors and nurses had {o face, according to the annual report, whilst 38 per cent. of all patients suffered from infectuous diseases Such as tuberculosis, dysentery, type hoid and whooping cough. Most of the work was medical only 39 minor operations having been performed throughout the year under review.
Support from Shanghai residents and organizations is being solicited in the report, as the future of the hospital must be secured until such time as condition will permit its closing. common, with other cities throughout the world Shanghai, in spite of the depressing times, will celebrate the event in the royal manner befitting such an occasion. For Shanghailanders there has been arranged a programme of events today to suit all tastes and there is no doubt that Christmas 1938 will go down in the city's annals as a brave show in face lof adverse conditions—a set of conditions which, however, does not deter the populace from casting gloom to the four winds at this festive period, and indulging in the gaiety and joyous celebrations wh have marked more prosperous times in the city's history, _In the cabarets, loaded with decorations and ablaze with electric lights, there were happy times last night for many of Shanghai's foreign population decided to have their celebrations in the atmosphere of gay music and laughter to be found in the entertainment spots. The cinemas, too, have a special programme of feature pictures to delight both young and old alike, and crowded houses are certain today.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.