Colloquial phrases develop because of historical and cultural particularities. In Cuba, "No lo salva ni el médico chino." (Not even the Chinese doctor can save him) is phrase commonly used and reflects the historical Chinese immigration to Cuba in the early 19th century. The first Chinese immigrants to Cuba were contract workers needed to work the sugarcane fields. In the mid 19th century, however, the first medical doctors from China were reported to have arrived in Havana. They were Kan Shi Kon, Damian Morales, and Chan Bom-biá.