Let me remind you that (as far as I know) the first two western medical doctors to be resident in Taiwan were Dr. James Maxwell (Senior) (Ma I-seng ) who came in 1865 and Dr. Patrick Manson who came a year later in 1866. Thy worked together in Takao (Kao-Hsiung) for three years. Then Maxwell moved to Tainan and started the Sinlau Christian Hospital which still stands. Manson continued his work in Kao-Hsuing. He was a doctor to the Customs Service, looking after the health of their personnel, the foreign merchants and sailors on the merchant ships which came to the port. H was a very observant and research-minded doctor. After six years, he moved to Amoy (Hsia-men), and later to Hong Kong, where he helped to start the Hong Kong Medical College. It is interesting to know that Dr. Sun Yat-sen (the "Father of the Republic of China") was the best student in the first graduating class of that college, which, on might say, had its beginning through Manson's experiences in Kao-Hsuing.

     Western scientific medicine was introduced into Taiwan by Christian missionary doctors, Custom Service doctors, and after 1895, by Japanese doctors.

     But over the last 104 years there has been a gradual and great flowering of scientific medicine amongst Taiwanese doctors, and health workers who have contributed to saving lives and relieving suffering, to medical research, and to teaching throughout the country and internationally.

     But, however, exciting and interesting and astonishing scientific advances have been (take just one example-the invention of the CT scan, followed by the MRI scan, which have assisted doctors in the diagnosis of neurological and other diseases), I say, however exciting and beneficial these are, there remains the bedrock fundamental question-which is, "How to be a good doctor!" "How should we as doctors and health workers behave towards humanity in need of our help?" I will try to point to some answers.

     Firstly, we have some historical guidance. In about the year 400 BC, a famous Greek doctor, Hippocrates, instituted an oath for doctors to swear after finishing their training and becoming doctors. This Hippocratic oath stresses the importance of teaching, learning, the benefit of patients, the avoidance of harm, and keeping patients' secrets. I will quote two sentences from the oath:

     "Into whatever home I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick and will abstain from every act of mischief or corruption, and from the seduction of females or males...