Chronicles of a Southern Sojourn: Li Zhongjue’s Observations of Modern Medicine and Colonial Society in Singapore

The Praise of Modern Medicine in a Colonial Outpost

Introduction

In 1887, Li Zhongjue, a scholar from Shanghai, journeyed to Singapore to visit his close friend Zuo Binglong, the Chinese Consul. His observations, later published as Xingjiapo Fengtuji (The Customs of Singapore) in 1895, provide a rare late-Qing perspective on the rapid modernization of the British Straits Settlements. While Li documented everything from the "pearl-like" geography of the island to the thriving pepper and gambier trades, he was particularly struck by the stark differences between Chinese and Western approaches to public health and institutional management.

The Architecture of Healing: Praising the Western Hospital

One of the most significant sections of Li’s record is his detailed praise for the British-run hospitals in Singapore. He describes these institutions as models of "perfected regulations" and "impeccable cleanliness".

• Environmental Standards: Li marveled at the spaciousness of the facilities, noting that the hospital grounds were vast and the wards were both clean and well-ventilated.

• Patient Dignity: He observed that each patient was provided with their own bed, along with a long table and stool for eating and resting.

• Freedom of Movement: Unlike the restrictive or grim atmospheres of contemporary Chinese relief houses, Li noted that patients in Singapore were allowed to stand, sit, or walk freely, appearing "without the appearance of being constrained or suffering".

A Critique of Domestic Conditions

Li used his praise for Singapore’s hospitals as a mirror to critique the state of charitable institutions in China. He noted that while Chinese cities had many benevolent halls (Shan Tang), their physical conditions were often "cramped and oppressive," filled with "foul-smelling vapors". He argued that a healthy person entering such a place would likely fall ill, and a sick person would find no recovery. By adopting the Western model of expanding land, increasing the number of rooms, and hiring dedicated cleaning staff, Li believed the impact on public welfare would be immense.

Cultural Friction and Modern Infrastructure

Despite his admiration for the facilities, Li recognized the deep-seated cultural fear many Chinese residents felt toward Western medical practices, which they found "alarming" or "terrifying". He pointed to the Kiang Wu Hospital in Macau as a successful middle ground: it adopted Western-style regulations for ward separation (internal medicine, surgery, infectious diseases) but employed Chinese doctors using traditional herbal formulas.

Beyond medicine, Li noted other facets of Singapore’s modern infrastructure:

• Sanitation: The British engineered a sophisticated water system, sourcing spring water from the mountains, filtering it through sand, and piping it into the city.

• Civil Engineering: He praised the iron bridges, which he found even more sturdy than those in the foreign concessions of Shanghai.

• Public Safety: The fire prevention system involved telegraph alerts and high-pressure water gates, ensuring that "no major fires" occurred.

Conclusion

Li Zhongjue’s account is more than a travelogue; it is a call for modernization. By highlighting the "spotless wards" and "systematic regulations" of Singapore’s hospitals, he provided his Chinese readers with a vision of how social welfare could be transformed through architectural and administrative reform.