ISR
Report of the Medical Missionary Society
be found in very great quantities, though of most of them there is sufficient raised for domestic consumption. No doubt, however, that both Fucliau and Amoy will afford a ready market for many foreign commodities, to be given either for money or in barten.
ART. V. Annual report for 1841-42, of the hospital at Macao, under the patronage of the Medical Missionary Society. By B. Hobson, M. B.
IN a former report it was mentioned that the capabilities of this institution had not then been fully tested, partly on account of its recent origin, and the fear and disquietude which pervaded the native com- munity at that time, and partly from a reluctance to allow its medi- cal duties to encroach upon the time necessarily devoted to studying the language; and although its operations had been from these causes restricted, it was anticipated that its influence and usefulness would rapidly advance. It is now my pleasing duty to inform the beneva- lent friends and supporters of this Society, that these anticipations have been fully realized. From July last up to the present date. there has been an uninterrupted attention paid to all the objects that have been presented for medical and surgical relief. The number of patients, whose names, ages, occupations, residence, and maladies, have been registered in the books of the hospital, during that period, is five thousand two hundred and sixty-five :—a number much greater than during any former period. That for the year ending 30th June, 1841, was 1457, showing a gratifying increase of confidence ou the part of the natives in the skill and intentions of the foreign physician.
This number includes those only that have appeared for the first time, and consists of men, women, and children from this city, and the numerous aud populous towns and hamlets in its vicinity; they have also come from Canton, and other parts of this and the neigh- boring provinces, and are chiefly persons of the middle and lower classes. But officers of government, both civil and military, have oc- casionally either personally or through others applied for medical aid. Two of these have come long journeys with this special object
in view.