CAPTIVE SURGEON IN HONG KONG
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and I suspect that what Mosley says applies to the Japanese character as well as to the language.
I referred previously to a widespread infestation of round worms which our staff and patients had to endure, but eradication though not easy was more successful than our efforts at de-bugging beds, blankets and clothing. More of the staff than ever before were admitted to hospital, mostly for short periods, but one of our best nurses contracted a serious infection and was never available for duty again, though he was in good heart at the time of our release and was confidently expected to recover completely.
The foibles and idiosyncrasies of many in the hospital proved hard for their neighbours to endure. The quick-tempered had to keep a tight rein upon themselves, and there were many awkward moments which passed only when those concerned realised that there was no alternative but to soldier on.
None of our requests for pastoral visits from a Catholic chaplain was ever granted. The Rosary was however recited each evening over a long period by a group who found consolation in this observance. When funerals of Catholics or men of other faiths were held a layman co-religionist often spoke a few words of committal at the graveside, or occasionally if no one else was suitable and available I did this myself.
During the year we were very active in our gardens which occupied the greater part of our available space. Seed prices were high, for example one and two-thirds ounces cucumber seed cost 3.50 yen while like quantities of seed for Chinese cabbage, long beans, short beans and carrots cost 0.60 yen, 1.30 yen, 1.00 yen and 1.00 respectively. The year was a very wet one and we recorded a total rainfall of 124 inches. The hot weather played havoc with our gardens and we fought a steady battle against caterpillars and other predators. We did get a substantial vegetable addition to our main diet while individuals profited from their own exertions. A working party one day discovered some excellent tomatoes growing below the hospital in Bowen Road at the site of a sewage pipe which had been fractured by shell fire during hostilities. We had therefore bought the seed, grown and consumed the fruit and excreted the seeds which planted themselves by the broken sewage pipe—and so the life cycle went on. In September I was asked to agree to Tokunaga's request to be given six pumelos growing in our grounds. This was a strange request from our overlord, which