310
Reports of Medical Missions.
JUNE,
he had received : he has gince written, saying that he was well, and also sent some of his friends to be relieved as he was. It is the custom of Chinese physi- cians to prescribe the use of the opium pipe in cases of obstinate ague and rheu- matisin; and no doubt this means is useful in alleviating distress and pain for a time; but the patient, though relieved of those diseases, is left dependent on opium for the rest of his life; so that the cure is worse than the disease; and in many of the cases, the first incitement to the use of the drug arose from its being recommended as a palliative for the relief of pain or distress of some kind or other, and the habit once acquired, it has become almost impossible to discontinue it.
It may be interesting in this Report to mention the following circumstance. About three miles to the westward of the hospital, at the village called Tasing- yen-sz', there is, in front of a temple, a pit or well, about eight feet square, and ten or twelve feet deep, faced with blocks of limestone, and inclosed by a good substantial paling; there are about three feet of water in this well, and from the bottom bubbles up a large quantity of gas, so that the appearance is as if a large volume of water was being constantly thrown up: the people call it Hai-yen, or Eye of the Sea, and say that the water neither increases nor diminishes, nor ever runs out: the fact is, the water that is in the well is merely drainage, and the gas rises through it ; on descending by means of a ladder to the water and holding a light over the agitated surface, the bubbles explode with a light blue flame, which continues all the time light is applied. The gas may easily be collected by means of a bell-glass and bladder; the water has a slightly brackish taste, but sinall fish are noticed swimming about in it; the gas is no doubt carbureted hydrogen, and probably emanates from a layer of peat or coal at some distance below the surface. The villagers make no use of the water for any purpose, and appeared to be much surprised when the
gas was ignited; they did not seem to be at all aware of its inflammable nature.
In concluding this Report, it may be remarked that while the object of efforts such as this, is to alleviate pain and relieve human suffering in various forms, still there is a further object; this is but a means to an end; that end is to show to this heathen people the blessings of the Gospel, and to declare unto them that there is a God who alone is worthy of their adoration ; to show them that they are sinners in His sight, and that there is one only way by which they can gain pardon-through Christ who is mighty to save. May the Lord bless all efforts that are made to advance his own glory, and enable us year after year to do more for him, and to be an example before this heathen people of righteousness and truth, that indeed we may be Christians, not only in name but in all sincerity and seriousness.
Abstract of Observations by the thermometer, in the open air, in a shaded situation with a southern exposure; the maximum by day, and the mininum for the night, taken by a self-registering thermometer.
1849.
Maxın. by day.
Minimm. by day.
Maxm. Minimum by night. by night.
Average by day.
Average
by night.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November ¡December
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60
75
87
84
95
96
89
80
73
72
899788FFREY?
30
40
40
45
60
69
77
70
57
46
42
92888228F894
45
56
64
68
75
79
80
77
66
37
5.5
31
FAZ8588285mA
17
46
30
49
31
54
33
61
47
722
60
75
64
84
70
88
60
79
73
60
54
36822288£*£8
33
41
42
49
58
66
73
76
71
56
45