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Show PAPERMAKIN IN INDO-CHIN 1 of the steamship ignominiously designated as first-class a handsome young Chinese gentleman, who, speakin the soft Mandarin tongue, introduced himselfas Won Hsien-Chih, a tea merchant of Canton. He invited m into his tiny cabin which had the heavy herby odour of Chinese apothecary shop. He explained that he was applying the herb nostrums and medicines to his feet in a attempt to alleviate the suffering from a hideous diseas which had developed during his visit on Victoria Island This distressing infection is contracted through walkin barefooted on filthy floors and pavements, the feet bein attacked by myriad minute worms which penetrate th base of the toes, causing them to disintegrate, dry, and according to Mr. Wong, eventually drop offin the stock ing, like so many peanuts in a paper bag. After my initia introduétion to this Oriental malady through the goo office of Mr. Wong I was most cautious in wearing shoe orslippers on all occasions while in the Far Bast Seven-thirty o'clock was the evening dining hour o the Pau/ Doumer and the steward led me to the disma saloon, the only approach being by carefully picking th way through the coal bunkers and engine room. Tw places were arranged at the ample table, one for me an the other for my newly-found friend, Mr. Wong. A littl later he painfully shuffled into the dimly-lighted roo attired in long wool underwear partially concealed b alavish grey silk robe; his ailing feet were enveloped i padded red felt slippers which he removed while scate Digital image © 2005 Marriott Library University of Utah, All rihts reserved |