The Historical Evaluation of Rakuzan-en which is Leprosy Relief Service in Taiwan

The full-scale leprosy relief services in Taiwan was carried out by two facilities, a government-run Rakusei-in established by the Taiwan Governor’ s Office and a Rakuzan-en founded by the Canadian Presbyterian missionary and physician Gushue-Taylor. The role played by Gushue-Taylor and Rakuzan-en, a manifestation of his idea of medical relief, was very different from that of the foreign missionaries who contributed to leprosy relief in Japan. His work as a physician was a unique effort aimed at rehabilitating non-severe patients while complementing the leprosy policy of the Government-General of Taiwan. This time, the writer had the opportunity to visit the old Rakuzan-en, which is now Happy Mount Colony, so In this paper, I would like to evaluate the history of Rakusan-en..