Tubercolosis : Treatment in Fuzhou, China

My grandfather's maternal cousin was struck with Tuberculosis which was not getting any better for years. He became more sick after he married a pretty wife. By the late 1930's Lau King Howe Hospital  suggested that he should return to China for treatment. Headman Lau Kah Tii also made arrangements for him to return to China with his young family.

The cousin's family left for China in 1938 but unfortunately the Japanese came to attack the Chinese coast systematically.

However over the next few years, my grandfather's cousin got better and the two boys of his also grew up well. His wife was also doing very well in China eeking out a good living on the family farm.

In fact, by coincidence, my maternal grandmother was also stranded in the same village. 

My grandmother remembered collecting firewood with the young boys in the area outside the village.

Fear of the Japanese was intense but luckily they did not see many as the enemy soldiers were mainly in the bigger towns. However life was difficult and money was scarce.

Apparently the Presbyterian Hospital ( Hiek Huo Hospital) gave very good treatment and within three years this grand uncle became healthy again and soon he prepared to return to Sarawak to see to his business and properties.

Hiek Huo Hospital in Fuzhou City 2021. Google Photo.

So when news of peace came, he took the first boat out of Fuzhou, with his family and coincidentally with my maternal grandmother. My second maternal uncle and bride was also in the same boat.

So there were quite a number of Sibu bound passengers in that boat going to Nanyang , after the war. My grandmother called it First Boat out of China after the WW2.

Grandmother said there was no sign of Grand Uncle having TB at all as he was round in the face and as cheerful as a lark.

Upon arriving at Sibu, the cousin found my paternal grandfather waiting for him, together with his brothers. The two families had been keeping their Ice Making and Rice Milling going. He was happy about it and went straight ahead to work harder. He was like born again, leaving his TB behind in China.

To many the cure was a miracle.

TB continued to trouble many Foochows after the War.