Berri-berri gesticht Buitenzorg

This was a specialized hospital to deal with the so-called berri-berri disease that caused many casualties among  miners and convicts working in forced labour environments. The hosptal was founded in 1878 and had many extensions. Initially there were 1,100 beds. By 1889 the hospital had capacity of 1,650 beds. Reasearch on the causes of this disease revealed that a shortage of vitamins was the main cause.  The theory of avitaminose developed by the doctors Eijkman and Grijns resulted in a conclusive answer to berri-berri. The food distribution in prisons, coolie camps and camps of convicts was adapted and berri-berri gradually lost its threatening qualities.

The Report of the Civil Medical Service (Civiele Geneeskundige Dienst) of 1909 mentions that on the 1st of January 1909 treatment was given to 317 Miners from Banka and 253 convicts. During that year 95 miners were admitted and 749 convicts. Deceased: 7 miners and 55 convicts. 356 miners returned to China.

In the 1920s, some hospitals treating berri-berri patients were closed down or switched to new target groups of patients. With the Government Decision of 17th July 1905 (no. 104) the berri-berri hospital at Buitenzorg became available as an indigenous hospital, awaiting further decisions about its future.