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hospital, the doctors who worked at Macao were interested in
missionary activities.
Peter Parker did not open his hospital until 1836. For
two years he lived at Singapore, where he studied the Chinese
language and operated a dispensary. Returning to Canton fluent
in Chinese, Parker established an opthalmic hospital. Although
he treated other diseases, he believed the most prevalent
affliction of Cantonese to be problems of the eye. Besides
his medical work, Parker also trained Chinese pupils both in
medicine and theology. The Chinese patronized Parker's hospital
in large numbers, and in 1837 Houqua leased a Hong to Parker
free-of-charge for the hospital. Both the American missionary
community at Canton and the American Board of Commissioners in
1
Boston were enthusiastic over the rapid success of Parker s
endeavor. Through the practice of medicine Parker and the
missionaries reached increasing numbers of Chinese. In early
1838 the missionaries at Canton reported to the Board that
the hospital brought multitudes of Chinese within our reach,
11
thus affording them sensible proof of an interest which we feel
in their welfareu and often giving us opportunities of directing
their thoughts to Him who alone can cure the diseases of the heart. 1 1
Without the hospital the missionaries felt thousands of Chinese
"would be far beyond the reach of our voices." David Abeel,
who returned to China in 1839, further remarked at the success
1 1
of the Opthalmic Hospital. He claimed to be surprised at the
crowds who visit it." More importantly, the hospital attracted
11persons of all classes of society, even the highest officers"
