Peiyang Women's Hospital
Tientsin.
My dear Miss Turner;
At least now I have freedom of speech and writing. The Nationalist Government is here and Tientsin is going into a new regime. There was very little fighting around Tientsin. People were very tired of those two wicked militarists Chu and Chang. They have done every wicked act one can name. The saddest part of their misrule was that they killed so many brilliant young students in name of Bolshevism. Ofcourse [sic] many foreign residents do not welcome our Nationalist Government for the latter is composed of men who are highly trained and would not give concessions. Some lived here too long and have enjoyed special privileges that they cannot see and understand the word - fairness. An upright honorable person would not want anything unfair. In name of protection every large foreign government has sent troops here. These troops only help to entangle the matter and prolong our vicil [sic] war. People are rather ignorant of their national politics. Just imagine how people in America would feel if China should send a battalion of soldiers ot Boston City in name of protection just because one or two Chinese were killed by accident or by mob. I think people in Bosotn would all gather their force together and empty the Chinese boat and battalion into Boston harbour. Many Americans do not want to see troops here. These young soldier boys come to China and they learn nothing but drink. In reality it is detrimental for these soldiers. China is indeed a lawless country and every bad man takes advantage of this condition. Miss Purington would be able to tell you how some American [sic] live here. Tientsin city is full of useless soldiers, I mean Chinese soldiers as well. If governments would spend this same amount of money for education that teaches mutual respect and love, this would be a very happy world. Then we would strive to be great in science, art, music and moral education.
We are busy in taking care of sick refugees from surrounding villages of Tientsin. We have free morning clinic for them and those who are very sick we take them into hospitals. Our policy for the coming years will undergo some changes. Our first aim will be to get specialists to join our staff, seconly [sic] we will invite a good head nurse who will take care of our nursing problems, thirdly all members of our staff will work toward two health programs; one aginst [sic] tuberculosis other free maternity care to poor women of Tientsin city. Gradually I want to turn over my administrative work to someone then I would be able to devote more of my time to my profession. This year we have been able to do quite a number of major operations. There are three of us now and we are in position to do more operative work. I am sending you a picture of a deformed woman on whom I performed a Caesarean section. She had osteomalasia. The latter causes a deformity of pelvis. So far as etiology is concerned we know it is a disease of diet. If food rich in vitamin D would prevent rickets, I think the same vitamin would prevent osteomalasia. But this needs to be proven by experimental animals. I wanted to take a picture of her deformed pelvis. Patient refused to do so. This picture will show the shortness of her height- 4ft and 2 inch. Both mother and baby had a normal postpartem. Baby,s [sic] birth wieght [sic] was 8 lbs.
I shall be glad to hear of your vacation trip to Europe. Miss Carolyn Sewall will sail for Europe next week. She is also a Mount Holyoke girl. By chance you might meet each other. It is also my wish to study in Europe. I can read some French. I am taking German by myself during my odd moments. It is hard work to do any studying now. As soon as I sit down with a book someone telephones. Too many interruptions are in my way. But I said to myself I will learn one word a day anyway before going to bed and I would have three hundrde [sic] fifty six at end of a year.
I hope that when you take your next trip you would come to the Orient. There are many changes going on now. Probably the capital will be moved to Nanking. There is also talk about a change of costume for men. The change of government does not mean that China's trouble is over. However I believe we are going to have better days. At least we have freedom to express our opinion. Just now I am waiting for a telegram from Shanghai to represent Chinese Women at Honolulu Conference. Proabbly [sic] I might meet some freinds [sic] from America at this conference. I really do not want to leav [sic] my work at this very busy season.
With much love.
Yours lovingly,
M. I. Ting.
June 30th, 1928.