The hearts of the doctors were gladdened during this year by the prospect
of a hospital building in which to carry on their work. Early in 1900 Dr.
Kahn wrote happily to Dr. Danforth, whose gifts had made the building
possible:

"Work on the building is going on merrily, and the results are
pleasing so far.... As to our work at present, we can truly say
that never before has it seemed so encouraging. This being the
Chinese New Year month we have usually had scarcely any patients,
and at least for a number of days no patients at all; but this year
we had no day without patients, and often had thirty, forty, and
even over fifty patients a day, which is certainly unprecedented.
You cannot imagine how strong a prejudice the average Chinaman has
against doing work of any kind too soon after New Year's. Not only
is it the only holiday of any duration they have during the year,
but it is ill luck to work too early."

"While standing at the gate on the second day, watching the
patients straggling in, I saw one of them brought on a stretcher.
It was a pretty little girl who had been badly burned by the
upsetting of a foot stove under her wadded garments. As they came
up an old woman who carried one corner of the bamboo bed called
out, 'Doctor, have you opened your accounts yet?' meaning have you
begun work yet. I answered, 'Why, our accounts have never been
closed, so we did not need to reopen them!' 'Yes,' she said, 'I
know, and I wish you many congratulations for the New Year, and may
you have much custom during the year.' Think of what that implies!
Then she went on volubly describing what a time they had in getting
people to carry the bed, for no money could induce them to come,