Peiyang Woman's Hospital
Tientsin June 15 th, 1922My dear friend in America;
At last I am settled in my work. My life in China is a busy one. You have no idea how I miss my adopted country and all my good friends in America. Things have changed some after my eight years absence from China. The most hopeful thing is that there is a public opinion and there is real patritism [sic] among our students. Every young man and woman is anxious for a training. There are some material changes but rather slight. One thing that bothers me the most is the extreme poverty of our people. As I passed the province of Shangtung, I noticed our people thousands and millions are merely existing. My heart ached for my brothers and sisters. As I looked back of my days in America, unconsciously I began to wish that we might have a little of your life. In my hospital work, I noticed that children who come to my clinic are poorly fed. I wish that I can give them the needed nourishment for their normal growth. My wish is only a wish because I am only a poor young doctor yet. I wish that America would not sell us cigarettes and liquor for we are so poor already. If our people learn to love these things, we will be worse than at prresent. [sic] How I wish that we could have some business that will be a mutual benefit to China and America.
I feel sure that you would like to hear something about myself. It was so good to see my dear ones again. My father was so proud of me. As I told you that he is a doctor also. He took me to see his patients and introduced me to many prominent people at Shanghai. Well, it was certainly a happy home coming. I stayed at home for three weeks and I came up North. Since I have been here, I have had many patients. I performed an operation at back of neck. It was a tumor of 12 in. x 10 x 6. After it was removed, it weighed two pounds and half. Gross pathalogy [sic] is a lipoma. Opportunity is wonderful here. For training we have to go abroad for many years yet. We have three cases from battle region also. They are women patients. I would like to have some soldiers, but unfortunately this is a hospital only for women and children. There is fight ing [sic] in northern part of Chi-li. We people have nothing to do with it. These war- lords will evantually [sic] kill themselves. That will be the salvation of China. I am happy that I took a training home to help my people. I only want to do my best and I would regret if I cannot do something for my suffering sisters. Medicin [sic] is a good profession to take home.
It sounds funny to tell you that I feel unnatual [sic] at times. There is that lack of a free genuine life and I miss more than anything else. Tientsin is a northern city and people here observe more of old customs. I would say we southers [sic] are more progressive. Yesterday I called upon two ladies. I felt just like a country Jack, ha; ha; My senior doctor who is also a graduate from America. She considered that was good training for me. She is coming to America and I certainly hope that you would have a chance to meet her. She is a womwn [sic] of rare ability and charming personality. She is going to visit our American mother Dr. Mary H McLean, Saint Louis.
Remember me to everybody that I know at Ann Arbor. I close this letter with much love for you.
Yours Lovingly,
M. I. TingJune 15, 1922.