The disease has completely disappeared now, thanks to government intervention and the efforts of research scientists, doctors, missionaries and social workers.
One man above all is known for his pivotal role in fighting black-foot disease. For 30 years, Wang King-ho, a medical doctor inspired by his Christian faith, tirelessly treated patients suffering from the illness. Now in his 90s, the highly esteemed doctor has recently published an authorized biography entitled “A Memoir: Father of the Black-Foot Disease, Wang King-ho.” The biography brings to light not only Wang’s role in the treatment of the disease, but the efforts of many other unsung heroes as well. It is thus set to become a significant historical document.
On the occasion of the biography’s publication, the National Taiwan Museum has organized an exhibition, running until June 28. Items on display include historic images, medical equipment and a 13-minute documentary dedicated to Wang.
It is now known that black-foot disease is a form of gangrene, with the cause of the disease determined to be arsenic poisoning. Research has shown that drinking underground water with excessive concentrations of arsenic over a long period of time, such as from five to 20 years, results in black-foot disease. Only in 1965 did the government begin to improve the water supply system in the area, which has helped eliminate the condition. But both before and afterwards patients still had to be treated, and someone had to help draw attention to their condition. Wang is celebrated today for doing both.
Born in today’s Tainan County in 1916, Wang went to medical school in Japan and worked as a physician for 18 months. He returned to Taiwan in 1943, and opened a clinic in his hometown of Beimen the next year. Having being elected a village chief in 1945, Wang dabbled in politics for a while, only to realize that politics were not for him and that he wanted to take care of patients.
He then became involved in treating patients with black-foot disease. “When I saw their condition, I resolved to do all I could to help,” Wang recalled. He drew attention to the disease by inviting religious institutions and medical experts at home and abroad to inspect affected areas and victims.
In 1958, a team of public health experts from National Taiwan University, led by Chen Kong-bei, a former schoolmate of Wang’s, was formed to investigate the cause of black-foot disease. Its comprehensive study lasted until 1978 when Chen died. “Chen helped the government in forming preventive measures, and served as a channel to bring in proper government resources in assisting in our treatment efforts here,” Wang said.
At the beginning, NTU Hospital also provided six beds for free treatment of the most serious gangrene cases. Yet the demand exceeded the hospital’s capacity. The situation was not improved until 1960, when the first pro bono clinic established especially to treat black-foot disease patients was built through the sponsorship by a Christian missionary Lillian Dickson and her organization called Mustard Seed. She learned of the black-foot situation through Wang and clergymen based in Tainan, and offered to provide free treatment to those in need.
Dickson invited Wang to be in charge of the clinic, and the hospital was set up adjacent to Wang’s private clinic. The doctor then divided his time between the two facilities. With donations from Mustard Seed and other charitable organizations, the clinic underwent expansions in 1963 and 1966 to accommodate more patients. At its peak, the clinic treated more than 80 patients at a time.
Wang recalled how he would become so involved with the free clinic that his own practice suffered. His wife Mao Bi-mei, a nurse, and other professionals also helped provide medical aid free of charge. In addition, Wang had the support of Hsieh Wei, a surgeon trained in both Japan and the United States, who founded the first hospital in an aboriginal village in central Taiwan and was held up by Wang as a role model.
At the time, the only known cure for black-foot disease was amputation. Wang said that Hsieh conducted hundreds of operations at the Beimen free clinic. Though the operations cured the patients of the disease, Hsieh felt extremely saddened to have to perform them, Wang recalled. Hsieh died of a car accident in 1970, much to the chagrin of many patients.
Wang also helped build a church to provide comfort to patients and their families. Relatives of patients still remember Wang for his selfless dedication. He often carried patients down from the second floor, bathed them on hot summer days, and even helped them personally with their toiletries. When patients died and their families were too poor to hold funerals, Wang, his wife, church staff and even nurses helped to make funeral arrangements.
“The way we took care of patients, seeing them as ourselves, not only won praise from patients and their relatives, but also brought happiness to ourselves,” Wang said. “Dedicating myself to my work was immensely rewarding. It was a golden time.”
In 1963, Wang also established an arts and crafts production center in order to enable patients to support themselves. He suggested the government help with costs. But it was willing only to provide partial funding. Wang thus donated a plot of his own land for the center. His wife helped in marketing the handicrafts made by the patients. The couple operated the center for 17 years until the government took over in 1978.
The good deeds of Wang and his wife won the couple many official awards and recognitions. In 1973, then Premier Chiang Ching-kuo visited the free clinic and training center. Deeply impressed by what he saw, Chiang called for the establishment of a free hospital, which was completed in 1977.
The clinic, to which Wang had devoted so much of his time, was finally closed in 1984, its mission now completed. In 1996, Wang shut down his own practice as well, after having run it for half a century. Today, the two adjacent clinics have been turned into a memorial for the history of the disease and Wang’s tireless devotion and kindness.
“During those years, others were often surprised at how hard we worked,” said the 94-year-old, who is now in charge of a cultural foundation. “They did not know that I was so happy working this way that I could not sleep.”
Write to Jean Yueh at yueh@mail.gio.gov.tw