A HISTORY OP HOSPITALS AND SHELTERS FOR THE SICK 47
Japanese Hospitals
Between 1903 and 1942, the Japanese-American com munity, feeling the need for better health care for its people, opened several “Japanese” hospitals and midwife establish ments in “Japan Town,” between 3rd and 4th, L and M Streets. First was Nihon Byoin, the “Japanese Hospital,” (1903 to 1912) run by Dr. Mas^jiMatsuda at 1314 4th Street. Later, there was the Takeoka Byoin (Hospital), in 1907, at 314 M Street, Dr. Minokichi Takeoka in charge. This hospital (191014) became Ofu Byoin, “Sacramento Hospital.” Dr. Iseri and Dr. Hashinaga were natives of the Mumamoto Prefecture, and the local Kumamoto Prefectural Association helped in the management. In 1913 the Nihon Hospital at 1318 4th Street was opened, its relationship, if any, to the Nihon Byoin, men tioned above, is not known.47 The Eagle Hospital at 1210 3rd Street was founded by Tsunesaburo Miyakawa, a pharmacist, it was the predeces sor of the better known Agnes Miyakawa Hospital. As owner of the Eagle Hospital, Miyakawa expressed the feelings of the Japanese-American community when he wrote: “Since my profession is that of a pharmacist, I had many opportunities to get in touch with the sick and it was my duty to visit daily those who were in the hospitals operated by Caucasians. I was not pleased with the attitude which prevailed in hospi tals toward Japanese patients.” 48
