CHAN Meng 陈明
Traditional Chinese Medicine in Singapore,
Accession Number 002430
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 33
Total Reels
- Moey Kok Keong
Interviewer
- 16:55:09
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 33
Metadata
- 4 Sep 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:46
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born in Singapore, 1920. Eldest in family. Parents sold tim-sum to make a living. Went back to his native-place in China with his brothers to study and returned at 17. Worked part-time for an uncle who was Chinese physician. Took several correspondence courses in Chinese medicine before formal training in Chinese Physicians' College. Sat for examinations every three years to compete for post of resident physician with Thong Chai Medical Institution. This system was abolished in 1980s.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 33
Metadata
- 4 Sep 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he helped his uncle to boil medicine and make pills. He liked to read books on Chinese medicine. Why Chinese government wanted to abolish Chinese medicine in 1920s. Chinese physicians in China and Singapore were united against abolishment and formed organizations. Chinese Physicians' Day. How he did his correspondence course with Chinese medical schools. Formal training in Chinese Physicians' Training College enabled him to gain clinical experience.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 33
Metadata
- 11 Sep 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:51
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of his house at Rochor Road, neighbours and living conditions. His family sold tim-sum for a living. Customer profile. Secret societies harassed shopkeepers at Rochor Road.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 33
Metadata
- 11 Sep 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:42
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Secret societies harassed medical hall where he worked as Chinese physician. Medical halls at Rochor Road were very popular among locals and Malaysians. Transport at Rochor Road. Description of interior of medical halls. Location of medical halls operated by Hakkas, Hainanese and Cantonese. Medical halls then had Chinese physicians stationed in their shops. Patients gave ang-pows to physicians and bought herbs from shop. Medical halls only sold herbs and were very diligent in preparation. Now medical halls sold daily necessities as well. Some Chinese physicians saw patients in their homes.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 33
Metadata
- 18 Sep 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Recollection of Japanese military operations in China and bombings of Singapore. British government hurriedly issued identity cards to flush out Japanese spies. Recalled first bombing of Singapore and that at Bencoolen Street. People did not seem concerned about first-aid in war situations. Japanese marched into Singapore. Operation "Sook Ching".
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Reel/Disc 6 of 33
Metadata
- 18 Sep 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:25
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
The $50 million donation gift to Japanese. The Overseas Chinese Association. How Japanese ruled the Chinese in Singapore. The Kempeitai. His relative who was tortured and interrogated by Kempeitai. The Tokubetsu Si Kosei-Ka. Operation "Sook Ching". Very scared of Japanese. The Guangdong band within Tokubetsu Si Kosei-Ka initiated settling mission to Endau, Johor to grow crops. He joined mission to avoid forced labour by Japanese. Description of settlement and quarters for settlers.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 33
Metadata
- 2 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:30:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Description of physical environment in Endau settlement. Most settlers he knew spoke Cantonese. Settlers were from different backgrounds. Teahouses and shops. Farming experiences. Water supply. Applied to return to Singapore in 1944. Rich settlers built their own houses. The settlement administrators. Medical services. Duties of settlement administration.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 33
Metadata
- 2 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:15
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Arrival at Endau settlement. Journey to Endau. Wild boars, monkeys, tigers, crocodiles were used as food. Insects and snakes. His companion died of illness. The burial. A type of leg illness and treatment. Entertainment activities and gambling.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 33
Metadata
- 9 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Recalled killing of two Endau administrators by Malayan Communist Party (MCP). The rich in Endau. Described teahouses. The poor in Endau. How Endau experience affected his views on life. Attended two-year correspondence course with Chinese medicine school in Hong Kong. Journal published by school.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 33
Metadata
- 9 Oct 2000
Recording Date
- 00:31:16
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Correspondence courses not good enough to prepare one as Chinese physician. Attended acupuncture course with Chinese Acupuncture and Cauterization Centre at Serangoon Road. About moxibustion. Advertisements by centre emphasized on learning a skill for livelihood. How his teacher treated patients. Formation of Chinese Physicians' Training College.
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