Black-foot disease is a peripheral vascular disease caused by long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic in artesian well water.
The clinic was founded by Dr. Wang Jin-he, often referred to as the 'God of the Black-foot Disease' for his long-term dedication.
The structure originally served as both a medical facility and a residential space for the doctor's family.
Tainan's Beimen District was the epicenter of the disease outbreak in Southwestern Taiwan.
The facility was repurposed into a memorial house in 2007 to commemorate the medical achievements and humanitarian efforts in the region.
The museum documents the shift in Taiwan's public health policy that occurred following the disease's identification.
The Taiwan Black-foot Disease Socio-Medical Service Memorial House preserves the former clinic of Dr. Wang Jin-he, who dedicated his life to treating patients suffering from arsenic poisoning in coastal Tainan. The disease, characterized by necrosis of the limbs due to high concentrations of arsenic in local well water, caused a major public health crisis in the 1950s and 1960s. The memorial is housed in the original Jin-He Clinic, which served as a sanctuary for victims requiring limb amputations and rehabilitation. Exhibits feature medical records, surgical instruments, and testimonials documenting the socio-economic struggles of the affected community. It stands as a significant site of medical history in Taiwan, highlighting the transition from traditional well-water consumption to piped water systems. The site is recognized for its role in community healing and public health education.
The restored exterior of the classic colonial-style clinic building.
Combine your visit with the nearby Crystal Church to see a stark contrast between historical struggle and modern tourism.
Allow time to walk through the surrounding Beimen coastal community to understand the environmental context of the epidemic.
Speak with on-site staff if available, as they often provide deep context on the local history of the Jin-he clinic.
Do not treat the exhibits as purely aesthetic; recognize the gravity of the medical tragedy documented here.
Closed on Mondays.
Quiet, respectful behavior is expected as the site documents significant human suffering.
