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"39 CHINA MISSION YEAR BOOK.It will greatly simplify any enquiry and any subsequent legislation in China, or any otlier country onthis question to know that the summing up of the recentinternational conference on leprosy at Bergen, and laterby the British and Colonial delegates at that conference,shows that leprosy is undoubtedly spread by direct andindirect contagion from persons suffering from thedisease. Indirect contagion may be carried by fleas,bugs, lice, the itch parasite, etc. Leprosy has beenproved to be most prevalent under conditions of personaland domestic uncleanliness and overcrowding, especiallywhere there is close and protracted association betweenthe leprous and non-leprous. Moreover, the dangerfrom infection from leprous persons is greater whenthere isdischarge from mucous membranes or fromulcerated surfaces. The most important administrativemeasure is to separate the leprous from the non-leprousby vSegregation in settlements or asylums under capablemanagement. This was the method adopted during themiddle ages in England, and the freedom from leprosy inthat and other lands to-day is testimony to its efficiency.Certainly segregation offers the most satisfactory meansof mitigating the sufferings of the leper and of assistingin his partial recovery. At the same time it shouldproduce a reduction and ultimate extinction of thedisease from even such a pestilence-stricken district assouthern China.Perhaps the most satisfactory conclusion of recentyears is the fact that "the clinical study of leprosyinduces the belief that it is not incurable." Theresearches being made by the scientific world shouldsurely encourage every worker for the good of Chinaand should lead to renewed endeavour for the manylepers in this land, who may truly be described asdwelling outside the camp."HENRY FOWUER.

SPECIAL PHILANTHROPY.3QIThe John G. Kerr Refuge forInsane.Many who read this article will remember withgreat respect the name of Dr. J. G. Kerr, who spent thebest of his life in Canton as a medical missionary.Toward the end it was given to him to carry out hislong cherished plan of opening a hospital for Chinese insane. He died in 1901, but before his death he gave hisbeloved hospital, the child of his old age, into the handsof the present superintendent, the writer of this article.History, In 1892 Dr. Kerr procured with his ownmoney a piece of land of about four acres located directly across the river from the foreign concession. Recently two acres more have been procured. In 1898 Dr.Kerr was able, with funds handed him by a friend, toput up two buildings. For several years none butprivate patients were brought for treatment. In 1904cases began to come from the officials. The policebrought the insane from the streets of Canton, and thedistrict magistrate sent the same class of patients deportedto Canton from Hongkong. The latter, after preliminary confinement in the government asylum, are broughtup in groups to Canton and delivered over to theChinese official who sends them to this hospital fortreatment. Formerly these patients, if dangerous, werelocked up in the prison along with the criminals. Ifnot troublesome, they were set free in the streets of thisgreat city to beg or steal, live or die, unless happilyfriends appeared to claim them. The consideration withthe officials shows thatwhich they are now treated bythe Chinese are ready to help their own people whenthere is a way to do so. The admirably organized policedepartment of Canton also, zealous in its desire to clearthe streets of insane and otherwise objectionable personages, is glad to make use of this hospital for treatmentof the former.Beside the many private cases from Canton and otherparts of the province, patients have been received from

SPECIAL PHILANTHROPY.3QIThe John G. Kerr Refuge forInsane.Many who read this article will remember withgreat respect the name of Dr. J. G. Kerr, who spent thebest of his life in Canton as a medical missionary.Toward the end it was given to him to carry out hislong cherished plan of opening a hospital for Chinese insane. He died in 1901, but before his death he gave hisbeloved hospital, the child of his old age, into the handsof the present superintendent, the writer of this article.History, In 1892 Dr. Kerr procured with his ownmoney a piece of land of about four acres located directly across the river from the foreign concession. Recently two acres more have been procured. In 1898 Dr.Kerr was able, with funds handed him by a friend, toput up two buildings. For several years none butprivate patients were brought for treatment. In 1904cases began to come from the officials. The policebrought the insane from the streets of Canton, and thedistrict magistrate sent the same class of patients deportedto Canton from Hongkong. The latter, after preliminary confinement in the government asylum, are broughtup in groups to Canton and delivered over to theChinese official who sends them to this hospital fortreatment. Formerly these patients, if dangerous, werelocked up in the prison along with the criminals. Ifnot troublesome, they were set free in the streets of thisgreat city to beg or steal, live or die, unless happilyfriends appeared to claim them. The consideration withthe officials shows thatwhich they are now treated bythe Chinese are ready to help their own people whenthere is a way to do so. The admirably organized policedepartment of Canton also, zealous in its desire to clearthe streets of insane and otherwise objectionable personages, is glad to make use of this hospital for treatmentof the former.Beside the many private cases from Canton and otherparts of the province, patients have been received from

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