Chinese shop sign, early 20th century, possibly from a pharmacy; carved and painted with Otto von Bismarck on one side and chinese man on reverse each surrounded chinese characters in green red and black, advertising Dokumetsu, "a poison extinguisher", a cure for syphilis

Shop signs such as this one were hung outside pharmacies selling traditional Chinese remedies. This example has an old moustached man on one side and a younger man on reverse. Both are surrounded by Chinese and Japanese writing advertising the pharmacy of Lim Ha Poi. His shop offered prescriptions and help for venereal and sexual diseases from seven qualified doctors.