Challenge the concept of public health in China
At that time, China was backward in medical technology and just began to pay attention to public health and health care. China lagged behind in the scientific treatment of infectious diseases compared to the West by decades. For example, leprosy was defined as the punishment of heaven at that time. Soon after Dr. Main’s arrival, he encountered a serious problem with how to treat the leprosy patients who were so many and suffered so badly. He wanted to build a leper home where the hopeless victims of dread disease might receive all the medical attention and spiritual help.
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Dr. Main won the support of the Mission to Lepers and built the leprosy hospital on the Gemstone Mountain in 1887. Ms. Dorothea Soothill Hosie, a well-known writer and social activist, had accompanied with Lady Willingdon to visit Dr. Main and lepers in 1926.
There are two homes, one for men, the other for women, next each other, on the hillside overlooking the Hangchow lake, with its boats and white sails and curving parapeted bridges. Dr. Main thought lepers should have lovely surroundings, needing them more than other folk.”
~ Dorothea Soothill Hosie , Portrait of a Chinese lady and Certain of her Contemporaries
Dorothea Soothill Hosie, the daughter of Willlian Edward Soothill
The Pulonary Hospital next to the Baochu Pagoda
"At that time, leprosy was much more terrifying than the current HIV. I often think about a foreign doctor and his 19-year-old wife who left their hometown to serve for 45 years., and treated leprosy patients, it’s really amazing."
~ Professor Wang Jian'an, the current dean of the SAHZU
Hospital of Universal Benevolence Songmuchang Branch in 1924.