The hearts of the doctors were gladdened during this year by the prospect of a hospital building in which to carry on their work.  Early in 1900 Dr. Kahn wrote happily to Dr. Danforth, whose gifts had made the building possible: 

“Work on the building is going on merrily, and the results are pleasing so far....  As to our work at present, we can truly say that never before has it seemed so encouraging.  This being the Chinese New Year month we have usually had scarcely any patients, and at least for a number of days no patients at all; but this year we had no day without patients, and often had thirty, forty, and even over fifty patients a day, which is certainly unprecedented.  You cannot imagine how strong a prejudice the average Chinaman has against doing work of any kind too soon after New Year’s.  Not only is it the only holiday of any duration they have during the year, but it is ill luck to work too early.”

“While standing at the gate on the second day, watching the patients straggling in, I saw one of them brought on a stretcher.  It was a pretty little girl who had been badly burned by the upsetting of a foot stove under her wadded garments.  As they came up an old woman who carried one corner of the bamboo bed called out, ‘Doctor, have you opened your accounts yet?’ meaning have you begun work yet.  I answered, ’Why, our accounts have never been closed, so we did not need to reopen them!’ ‘Yes,’ she said, ’I know, and I wish you many congratulations for the New Year, and may you have much custom during the year.’  Think of what that implies!  Then she went on volubly describing what a time they had in getting people to carry the bed, for no money could induce them to come, and finally she and a few boy cousins had to bring her.  A few days ago her people came and fired lots of crackers, as well as hung up long strips of red cloth outside our gate, in order to show people that we have accomplished a cure for them and they wish to express their gratitude in public.”

A few months later the Elizabeth Skelton Danforth Memorial Hospital was completed; but just as they were about to occupy the new building the Boxer uprising assumed such serious proportions that all work had to be dropped, and the women were forced to leave the city.  The doctors accompanied the other missionaries to Japan, and remained there for a few months; then came back to China and spent a few weeks in Shanghai, until the country had quieted down sufficiently to make it safe to return to the interior.  The weeks in Shanghai were not idle ones, for they found plenty of patients to treat during their stay there.