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 PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 
 
 
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 R 722 . P9 
 
 Purington, Louise C. 
 Our medical work 
 
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 JSoutse <C. Qpurington, (Wt.©. 
 
(Africa (TEest Centraf). 
 
 Dr. Rose A. Bower Sakanjimba. 
 
 3ndia : (Marathi (Mission. 
 
 Dr. Julia Bissell Ahmednagar. 
 
 Dr. Curubai Karmarkar Bombay. 
 
 Dr. Louise H. Grieve Satara. 
 
 Dr. Ruth Hume Ahmednagar. 
 
 3ndia : (Madura (Mission. 
 
 Dr. Harriet E. Parker Madura. 
 
 Cljina. 
 
 Dr. Kate C. Woodhull Foochow. 
 
 Dr. Minnie Stryker Foochow. 
 
 Dr. Lucy P. Bement . . . Shaowu (W. B. M. I.) 
 
 Dr. Emily Dillman Smith . Ing Hok (W. B. M.l.) 
 
 drained (tturses and (ftssisiants. 
 
 Mademoiselle Cronier Madura. 
 
 Elizabeth M. Trowbridge Aintab. 
 
 Emma D. Cushman Cesarea. 
 
 Madoline Campbell Ahmednagar. 
 
 Sjospi tafs and dispensaries. 
 
 Madura, Ahmednagar, Foochow ; Hygiene, including Diet 
 Kitchens, Sanitary Inspection, Water Supply, etc. ; 
 Itinerating Medical Band. 
 
©ur flfoeMcal Mork 
 
 “ Howbeit that was not fizst which is spizitual, but that 
 which is natuial ; and afterwaid that which is spiritual.” 
 
 A half century of work in foreign fields had passed 
 before more enduring foundations were begun. “ Pray 
 for the health of the missionaries ” was a comparatively 
 recent request in the “ Missionary Herald.” The need 
 of the time is “ body Christians,” says John G. Woolley ; 
 only such are fit temples for the indwelling of the Holy 
 Ghost. 
 
 The Mohammedan knows little of faith. “ Have 
 you heard the gospel before ? ” asked an Englishman of 
 a Chinaman. “ No,” was the reply, “ but I have seen 
 it.” The answer referred to the power of the Christ life 
 to control the liquor habit, also the opium habit, but it 
 relates equally to the gift of healing. To the native it 
 seems nothing less than magic to note the conduct and 
 experience the treatment of the educated physician. 
 The hospital and dispensary practice, the pharma- 
 ceutical preparations, the skillful diagnosis and power 
 over disease, — all this and more are to the Oriental an 
 awesome, supernatural revelation. 
 
 The way is in a great measure prepared for the 
 reception of the Divine Guest. “ What reason ye in 
 your hearts? whether it is easier to say, thy sins be 
 forgiven thee ; or to say, rise and walk ? ” 
 
4 
 
 © ur /Ibe&ical T!£lorfc 
 
 In America the medical gospel stands, in most cases 
 at least, for special sympathy and tenderness, for nursing 
 and care, and extra devotion and thoughtfulness. To 
 the Oriental it is just the opposite. The sick person is 
 often abused and the treatment most inhuman. Sick- 
 ness is believed to be the work of demons and all man- 
 ner of barbarities are practiced. 
 
 Brain and nerve may be exhausted, but the weariness 
 is met with noise, the beating of drums, gongs, and a 
 fearful din. There may be cutting and the infliction of 
 wounds; amputation, performed by hacking the limb at 
 the joint and working at it with a sharp shell ; even if 
 successful and the member is removed, there is no use of 
 antiseptics or soothing applications of a healing nature. 
 
 A common treatment for pain is by cutting ; sharp 
 cuts are made in the head, abdomen, or wherever the 
 pain may be located. Surgery as a science is unknown, 
 and of course the diagnosis of disease, prophylactics and 
 the simplest alleviations are wanting. 
 
 In circumstances like these what must it mean to have 
 a new heaven and a new earth opened by the Christian 
 physician ? “ An angel from heaven could not be more 
 
 welcome,” says Mrs. Joseph Cook. Prejudice is dis- 
 armed, blind eyes are opened, deaf ears unstopped, the 
 heart is won, and a saved body means a saved soul. 
 These are “ babes in Christ,” but if relieved of physical 
 suffering they walk by sight, and are more susceptible to 
 the walk by faith. 
 
©ut /DbeDtcal TMlorft 
 
 5 
 
 JLbC Hmertcan 3B03C&. — A study of the medical work 
 of the Woman’s Board implies a glance at the parent 
 organization — the beginnings of this work in earlier 
 years by the American Board. Dr. John Scudder was 
 the first of its medical missionaries, going to India in 
 1819. His four sons and a grandson followed him in 
 medical service on the foreign field. Others went out 
 to different countries — the importance and value of the 
 work continually growing. 
 
 Dr. Peter Parker was the first to go to China, in 
 1 834. His going led to the formation of the first 
 “ Foreign Medical Missionary Society.” This was 
 organized at Edinburgh in 1841, starting from very 
 small beginnings in an old whiskey-shop, and having 
 for its supervisor the famous Dr. Abercrombie, physi- 
 cian and philosopher. It is now transformed into the 
 “ Livingstone Memorial Association,” with fine build- 
 ings, and has a large representation in foreign medical 
 missionary work. 
 
 At present the American Board has forty medical mis- 
 sionaries, twelve of them women, and ten of these under 
 the care of the Woman’s Boards. Educated native 
 Christian physicians are increasing — notably in Japan; 
 also trained physicians, nurses, and medical and hygienic 
 work in all countries. 
 
 Native agencies are multiplying, so that it is some- 
 times said of the graduates of the schools and colleges 
 that each pupil who goes home is an entire committee on 
 better living, on sanitation and hygiene, family and 
 school life, and improved community conditions. 
 
6 
 
 ©ur flbebfcal UClorft 
 
 IDt. Cl8rH SWfllU. The first woman to go as a medical 
 missionary to India was Dr. Clara Swain, sent out by the 
 Methodist Board in 1 869 — the first woman physician 
 from any society. She was greeted by a native as fol- 
 lows : “We need lady physicians very much ; light has 
 dawned from America. Ah, how much that word 
 means to the oppressed ! ” 
 
 And the need is for the best, “ picked women,” 
 thoroughly trained. The native nurses are often ig- 
 norant, immoral, and in general their interference is 
 only to make matters worse. So the cry is for the 
 flower of women’s colleges who will take the higher 
 subjects, train the nurses, and strengthen and deepen 
 the spiritual life. 
 
 Earlier W. B. /ID. ZlDeMcal /iDlsslonarles. 
 
 The Woman’s Board of Missions was organized in 
 1868. In 1873 its first medical missionary, Dr. Sarah 
 F. Norris, of Plymouth, N. H., sailed for Bombay. 
 Dr. Ogden also went to India (Sholapur), in 1876. 
 Dr. Wadsworth was at Constantinople briefly, married 
 a native and in 1875 returned to this country. 
 
 Dr. Norris was indeed a pioneer. Mrs. Robert 
 Hume during fifteen years of service was but once 
 admitted to a native home. Dr. Norris carried the 
 key which opened doors. The way had been pre- 
 pared by the Zenana Mission of an English society. 
 
©ut /Ifte&tcal Udorfe 
 
 7 
 
 The natives were made ready to receive a physician 
 into their homes. She visited high and low, rich and 
 poor, Hindus, Mohammedans, and Parsis, and after 
 the first day there was never a shadow of objection to 
 her coming. She had at once the confidence of the 
 people and most friendly relations were established. In 
 less than three months she had made four hundred pre- 
 scriptions ; ten thousand were treated annually at her 
 dispensary and more than fifteen thousand received 
 religious instruction. When she left in 1881, they 
 parted with her sorrowfully and begged her to 
 speedily return. 
 
 In 1881 Dr. Mary Anna Holbrook, a graduate of 
 Mount Holyoke Seminary and of Michigan University 
 School of Medicine, went to China. She spent four 
 successful years at Tung-cho, established a dispensary 
 and engaged in other work. In 1887, health failing, 
 Dr. Holbrook returned to America. In 1 889 she 
 was transferred to Japan ; in 1896 returned to San 
 Francisco; was reappointed in 1901, and is now en- 
 gaged in teaching in Kobe, Japan. 
 
 The story of Dr. Grace N. Kimball is one most un- 
 usual in missionary annals. She was born in Dover, 
 N. H. ; finished her school life in Bangor, Me., and 
 went out as missionary of the Woman’s Board to Van, 
 Turkey, in 1882. In 1888 she returned to this coun- 
 try for the study of medicine, and graduated from the 
 New York Woman’s Medical College in 1892. 
 
8 
 
 ©ur /nbeOlcal UClorft 
 
 Returning to V an, she was soon face to face with 
 Armenia’s national tragedy. Van, a thousand miles to 
 the east from Constantinople, became the center of the 
 work of the “Armenian Industrial Relief Bureau,” and 
 Dr. Kimball its superintendent. There had been a sys- 
 tematic house to house massacre — twelve thousand in 
 Van, and thousands in the villages about. The work 
 begun by Dr. Kimball commanded the interest and sup- 
 port of the “Christian Herald.” Money was sent, and 
 within twenty-four hours after receiving it, Dr. Kimball 
 had hired a bakery and all necessary accompaniments, and 
 had nine hundred pounds of dough prepared for baking. 
 The work grew until more than seven thousand were 
 supplied with bread daily. Over nine hundred persons 
 were employed in relief work, including the supply of 
 wool and other material to the spinners, weavers, carders, 
 etc., thus emphasizing the side of industrial relief. 
 
 Dr. Kimball also distributed funds sent out by English 
 and American societies, while elsewhere in the country 
 Clara Barton had charge of the Red Cross work and 
 distribution of the larger American fund. In addition to 
 relief work Dr. Kimball rendered the service usual to the 
 medical missionary. It is a sad fact that she is not in 
 Turkey to-day. Her diploma from the Woman’s Medi- 
 cal College, New York Infirmary, was not recognized by 
 the Turkish government. United States Minister Tirrell 
 undertook to get it vized by the Sultan, but was unsuc- 
 cessful after three years of effort. Dr. Kimball felt the 
 
©ut /Hiebfcal TWHork 
 
 9 
 
 limitations in her work in consequence, and returned to 
 America, accepting soon after the position of physician at 
 Vassar College, and is now practicing in Poughkeepsie, 
 
 N. Y. 
 
 It is an interesting fact that the medical work in the 
 Eastern Turkey Mission is more than self-supporting — not 
 only the dispensaries but the hospitals at Mardin and Van. 
 
 The name and service of Dr. Pauline Root are most 
 intimately connected with the story of Madura Hospital. 
 She went out in 1 885 and soon established a wide repu- 
 tation for faithfulness and efficiency ; her name will not be 
 forgotten in that great center of influence, and in the his- 
 tory of most beneficent ministration in India. She re- 
 turned to America in 1896 and soon after was released, 
 being unable to return ; but her services have been in- 
 valuable in this country, contributing to the interest and 
 enlightenment of home workers. 
 
 {present Work, 
 
 Efrica (West Central). 
 
 One hundred and thirteen millions of women without the gospel. 
 
 Sakanjlmba. — Dr. Rose A. Bower, Sakanjimba, is the one 
 medical representative of the Woman’s Board on the 
 continent of Africa. In 1887 the call came to her to 
 “ go,” and being obedient to the heavenly vision she 
 engaged with the workers of Bishop Taylor’s mission in 
 Africa. After three years, health failing, she came 
 
10 
 
 ©ur /DbeOtcal TKHorfc 
 
 home. Nothing daunted, she improved an opportunity 
 to study medicine, and when equipped applied to the 
 American Board for a position on the foreign field — 
 “ Africa preferred.” 
 
 She sailed in July, 1 894, and was stationed at first at 
 Bailundu ; in 1897 she removed to her present field at 
 Sakanjimba. Seven years and more have passed in 
 “ labors abundant ” ; in medical work, battling with epi- 
 demics, fever, uncleanly homes and habits ; in industrial 
 teaching and training ; and in it all a great sense of isola- 
 tion. 
 
 UnMa. 
 
 /‘The land where tfye shies forever smile and where tf?e op- 
 pressed forever weep.” 
 
 One hundred and thirteen millions of women without the gospel. 
 
 HbntCftUHCjar. — In India, a work prominent and practical 
 has been accomplished by the English Zenana and 
 Medical Mission, of which Lady Kinnaird was the 
 founder. This mission maintains three hospitals, and the 
 total number treated last year in these was sixty-four 
 thousand two hundred and five. 
 
 Ahmednagar (thirty-five thousand population) is a 
 busy center of missionary interest in the Marathi Mission. 
 The Humes, the Hardings, the Bissells, are among 
 names long associated with this region. Mrs. M. E. 
 Bissell is now in her fifty-second year of work. Dr. 
 Julia Bissell, her daughter, has for nine years conducted 
 the medical work ; having the usual hospital assistants, 
 
©ur /iBedical TKHorfc 
 
 H 
 
 trained nurses, and other helpers. She was born into 
 the missionary kingdom, at Ahmednagar, and could not 
 be content away from it. She was educated in this 
 country, graduating from Wellesley College in 1886. 
 She then went out to India and taught for three years 
 in the girls’ school at Ahmednagar. She had long coveted 
 a medical education for the enlarged opportunities it 
 would give her, and returning to this country studied at 
 the Woman’s Medical College, Philadelphia. After 
 graduation and clinical experience in the woman’s 
 hospital she returned to India in 1 894 as missionary 
 physician at Ahmednagar. The dispensary work, latest 
 annual report, included the treatment of forty-three thou- 
 sand patients, and fifteen hundred visits were made 
 in the homes. A most hopeful phase of the work in 
 Ahmednagar is that for prevention — the hygienic basis. 
 A plague inspection committee was formed to impress 
 lessons of cleanliness ; to show the connection of dirt 
 with disease ; also diet and relief kitchens have been 
 established to furnish nourishing food. The lesson is 
 being learned that medicine is almost futile where 
 there is stagnant water, filth, improper food and clothing, 
 and utter neglect of hygienic conditions. 
 
 A fine hospital is being built at Ahmednagar, but 
 funds are still lacking for its equipment. Dr. Bissell 
 writes : — 
 
 “ This institution will meet the needs of a large terri- 
 tory. The nearest hospital for women in Poona, sixty 
 
12 
 
 ©ur /Ibe&lcal TWlorfc 
 
 miles distant, accommodates thirty-five patients. At 
 Sholapur, sixty miles southeast, a Dufferin Hospital has 
 twenty beds. To the north and northeast there is no 
 hospital withm one hundred miles. A population of over 
 a million will contribute to the clientele.” 
 
 Of diseases treated, those of the digestive system pre- 
 dominate ; fevers next ; respiration and circulation ; 
 rheumatism, eye, skm, and surgical diseases. Of the 
 patients treated a recent table shows that the Hindus 
 numbered eighteen thousand five hundred, the Mussul- 
 mans five thousand, and the native Christians over nine- 
 teen thousand. Each day repeats itself after this 
 fashion: the hospital and dispensary work, which is 
 practically unlimited ; the daily tour, the tonga on its 
 rounds, and the attendant with the ever-present hand- 
 bag with supplies. 
 
 All know the quick, hurried step, the ready sympathy, 
 the gentle touch, the patient waiting at the bedside, the 
 one ray of light during the long twenty-four hours which 
 enters with the physician. “Oh,” said a Brahman, “you 
 know not a tithe of what Dr. Bissell does. She is a 
 veritable angel of light in our city, in homes where none 
 of us could be hired to enter, and where she needs must 
 have untiring patience with our foolish, unreasonable 
 customs and prejudices.” 
 
 3B01Hl)8p. — Dr. Gurubai Karmarkaris a native of India who 
 studied in this country, graduating from the Philadelphia 
 Woman’s Medical College, and going out in 1894 to 
 
©ur flfte&ical Worfc 
 
 13 
 
 Bombay. She is engaged in most important medical 
 work and is a devoted Christian physician . . . “ win- 
 some in person and of invincible purpose.” Besides her 
 branch dispensary work she visits orphanages and 
 schools, averaging nearly a, thousand children under her 
 professional care. 
 
 Satara. — Dr. Louise H. Grieve went out to Ahmednagar 
 in 1 900. She assisted in the medical work, attending 
 personally ten thousand patients in one year of service. 
 She has now removed to Satara. A friend meets the 
 expense attending her work. 
 
 Dr. Ruth Hume goes out this year, 1903, and will 
 take up so far as possible Dr. Bissell’s work during her 
 absence. She belongs by heredity and training, as also 
 by enthusiasm and consecration, to the foreign field. 
 She is one of the third generation of missionaries on both 
 her father’s and mother’s side. Her mother was a grand 
 niece of Mary Lyon. She is a graduate of Wellesley 
 College and of the Philadelphia Woman’s Medical Col 
 lege, and has had clinical experience as interne at the New 
 England Hospital for Women, Boston. 
 
 The_brief story of Dr. George W. Harding, who went 
 to take the care of Dr. Bissell’s work, his brave begin- 
 nings and sudden death, are a part of the sad annals in 
 missionary work of the year 1903. 
 
 /ID&fcUCa. — “Life and Light,” September, 1 893, in an article 
 by Dr. Pauline Root, makes vivid to us the “ New Hos- 
 pital at Madura,” its surroundings and conditions ; also 
 
14 
 
 ©ur /nbeOlcal HUlorft 
 
 what it must be to a poor patient to be transferred from 
 a close, ill-ventilated mud house to the cleanliness and 
 comfort and care in the hospital wards. 
 
 The work laid down by Dr. Root has been success- 
 fully carried on by Dr. Harriet E. Parker, with an effi- 
 cient associate, Mademoiselle Cronier. During Dr. 
 Parker’s furlough in this country, Dr. Annie Young, of 
 Jaffna, has taken her place, and with Mademoiselle 
 Cronier has carried on the work. The number of patients 
 reported by Dr. Parker last year, forty-one thousand and 
 ten, would seem impossible to an M.D. in this country. 
 Nineteen thousand of these were new out-patients. The 
 prescriptions, the medicine, the training of nurses and 
 compounders, and the itinerating band, mean a measure- 
 less cost to both body and soul. 
 
 Four additional rooms are needed at once. Euro- 
 peans, Eurasians, Mohammedans, Hindus, are on this 
 mammoth list. 
 
 There is “ some appreciation,” but always the struggle 
 with fear, superstition, ignorance and dirt ; repulsion, even, 
 by women when educated men call in the foreign doctor 
 for treatment of their wives. How many are reached 
 with the spiritual gospel it is impossible to say, but un- 
 doubtedly a large number. And it not infrequently 
 happens that though healing may not be obtained, Christ 
 is found and the soul saved. 
 
 “We women in the zenanas of India (forty million) 
 suffer when we are sick,” was the message from one of 
 
©ur /IBeDfcal “Moth 
 
 15 
 
 them to Queen Victoria. It is one long, tragic story from 
 beginning to end. “ Oh, if we could only get within 
 these prisons of zenanas ! ” wrote Dr. Emslie, of Kash- 
 mir ; and Dr. Duff, “ If only medical women, daughters 
 of the West, would come, India might soon be moved to 
 its innermost recesses.” There is no prevention, no care, 
 no cure, no medical science worth the name ; nothing to 
 make life lovely or to be desired. Such is the story of 
 India’s dark, uncleanly, airless dwellings. 
 
 (Xblna. 
 
 One thousand seven hundred and forty-six walled cities in China 
 ■only two hundred and forty-seven contain missionaries. 
 
 tfoocbow. Peace Street IbospttaL— For twenty 
 
 years Dr. Kate C. Woodhull has been trying to meet 
 the need and answer the calls at the Foochow station ; 
 Foochow, beautiful for situation, the “Stockholm of 
 China,” the medical center of one million people. 
 
 Dr. Frances E. Nieberg (W. B. M. I.) went out in 
 1893, returning with Dr. Woodhull from America, and 
 for two years was a most valued assistant. In 1896 
 she married Rev. Wm. Goddard of the same mission, 
 and in 1 900 both were released from the Board. Dr. 
 Woodhull speaks of her great sense of loss, and of the 
 imperative need of two physicians at least, for the great 
 work and because of the special strain and responsibility 
 which come to the lonely worker. Dr. Minnie Stryker, 
 two years in the field, is now her special helper. 
 
16 
 
 ©ur /Ibe&lcal 'CQlorfc 
 
 Dr. Woodhull was bom at Wading River, Long 
 Island ; graduated from Ingham University, Leroy, N. 
 Y., and later from the New York College of the 
 Woman’s Infirmary. She studied also at the New York 
 College for Women (Homoeopathic), and two years at 
 Zurich University and Dresden Hospital. Thus she is 
 an all-round physician from natural aptitude, from train- 
 ing (six years), and from her experience and success as a 
 physician before going as foreign missionary. She 
 arrived in Foochow in 1884; and her reason for 
 going, “ I felt that I was more needed there than here.” 
 
 In 1 889 the new hospital was an accomplished fact. 
 The medical students who are studying and getting 
 clinical experience must be graduates of boarding 
 schools. Mrs. Ling Haing Ling is hospital assistant. 
 The course of study would be creditable to any college. 
 “ Gray’s Anatomy ” and other standard text-books have 
 been translated into Chinese. “ The lady doctor from 
 Great America ” is truly appreciated. The wards are 
 visited each morning ; the students report the cases 
 under their charge, and then all go to the dispensary, 
 where a large company usually awaits. The total num- 
 ber of in and out patients, latest report, was 7,565 ; the 
 native fees amounted to $242.75. During the 
 “ Boxer troubles ” all patients left the hospital, but 
 the dispensary work continued. 
 
 There is a hospital school, teaching the patients to 
 read ; an evangelistic service, etc. Hannah C. Wood- 
 
©ur /IbeDfcal Wlorft 
 
 17 
 
 hull has the care of the school and in connection with it 
 a brief lecture is given on hygiene, sanitation, physical, 
 mental and spiritual godliness. 
 
 Dr. Stryker is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College 
 and of the Philadelphia Woman’s Medical College. 
 She is a niece of Miss Garretson at the same station. 
 She is a valued helper ; has much practice and is skillful 
 in eye clinics; fitting glasses and assisting Dr. Woodhull 
 in surgical operations. Time is given to extending the 
 medical work through the city, but never to the neglect 
 of hospital and dispensary. More rooms are needed 
 for patients and general enlargement. 
 
 UTmC^CbO HHspenSHVp. — In Tung-cho, mob and mas- 
 sacre have done their cruel work and only time can 
 repair the ravages and recover lost ground. 
 
 Mrs. D. Z. Sheffield gives a picture of dispensary 
 practice which is subjoined, as duplicated so often 
 throughout the Orient : — 
 
 “ The waiting rooms are the central point of influence 
 for the spiritual side of our work, the raison d’etre of all 
 the equipment of courts and buildings, of wards and pre- 
 scribing rooms, of all the appliances for medicine and 
 surgery ; and it is because in this place we still find the 
 largest number of new listeners to the truth, and the 
 most receptive attitude for receiving the gospel of soul 
 healing, that it continues and will long continue to 
 demand of you a faithful, steady support in gifts and 
 prayers. 
 
 “ In this room we find many classes mingled. The 
 ‘ touch of nature ’ — of poor, suffering humanity — makes 
 
18 
 
 ©ur fl&eblcal Tffiloth 
 
 them all of kinship for the time. Little children with 
 sallow, wasted features ; young girls shrinking in dread 
 at meeting the stranger doctor and telling of their ills ; 
 women in rags and poverty with loathsome sores ; 
 women in silks and jewels whose wealth has not pur- 
 chased for them immunity from disease; aged dames 
 leaning on their staffs for support, blear-eyed, trembling, 
 eager — surely a group to make us glad that soul-life is 
 higher than the body ; glad that for weary hearts and 
 darkened minds there is a gospel of peace ; glad that, if 
 the poor body cannot always find the relief it seeks, 
 there is the balm of God’s forgiveness and the hope of 
 eternal life and health if they will heed the gospel mes- 
 sage.” 
 
 XKHoman's fBoarb of tbe Anterior. 
 
 The W. B. M. I. has two missionaries in China, Dr. 
 Lucy P. Bement at Shaowu, Dr. Emily Dillman Smith 
 at Ing Hok. Dr. Bement after two years of waiting has 
 a dispensary and funds have been provided for a hos- 
 pital. During the first nine months she saw 5,677 
 patients. Ing Hok has a small hospital and dispensary 
 and the work has well begun. 
 
 Dr. Virginia C. Murdock went out in 1 88 1 , a mis- 
 sionary of the W. B. M. I. at Kalgan, China. She is 
 an able physician, and as Dr. Clark said of her “ a 
 downright Christian worker.” Her dispensary, desir- 
 ably located in the center of the city, has proved far 
 reaching for good. Dr. Murdock has sent to this country 
 some of the best expositions of Chinese medical practice. 
 
©ur /Ifte&fcal Work 
 
 19 
 
 XEurfeep. 
 
 Htntab. — The Woman’s Board has long had a part in the 
 medical work at Aintab through Elizabeth M. Trow- 
 bridge, matron and trained nurse, who went out 
 in 1891. Her work is not simply secondary in the 
 general care and treatment and all that pertains to hos- 
 pital practice and outside patients. 
 
 Prior to 1873, there were no trained nurses, Occi- 
 dental or in the Orient, an agency often more impor- 
 tant than the best of physicians. This special work 
 was commenced at Kyoto, Japan, and other fields are 
 demanding this class of greatly needed helpers. 
 
 Dr. Caroline Hamilton — supported by a friend — went 
 out soon after Miss Trowbridge and is an integral part 
 of medical work at Aintab. She had one night given 
 her for rest and adaptation to her new surroundings, 
 and with the aid of an interpreter began work at once 
 and has not stopped since. 
 
 A Moslem would usually allow his wife to die rather 
 than call in a physician, but there are many who may be 
 reached and always there is more than enough to do. 
 Here, as elsewhere, physicians as well as others turn 
 cheerfully from their regular practice in time of famine 
 to assist, — often a great strain upon body and soul. 
 The old, old story of Christ a Saviour, and the need 
 of faith in Him, is repeated in numberless ways and 
 through all these agencies. 
 
 The general subject should cover a glance at the 
 
20 
 
 <$>ur fl&eDfcal TKHork 
 
 medical work done by missionaries of the Board who 
 have never taken a degree ; for instance, Mrs. Myra 
 P. Tracy of Marsovan, Turkey, who at one time treated 
 one hundred cases of la grippe. She has always assisted 
 in the care and treatment of the sick, and after Dr. Car- 
 rington’s arrival, in surgical operations. 
 
 A great and blessed work in the realm of hygiene 
 has been done at Marsovan. There was sickness at 
 the station, much of it due to impure water, as ascer- 
 tained by Dr. Carrington. It was found that the only 
 pure supply had been pre-empted by a Turk ! There 
 was no money to buy the right of way, and for a time 
 water was brought to the station in barrels. At length 
 a philanthropist arrived and hearing the story furnished 
 the needed funds for securing the pure water. As a 
 consequence, disease has been greatly lessened ; also 
 its virulence in many severe cases. 
 
 Another most beneficent work is the building of 
 homes in the hill country for summer rest and change. 
 How refreshing, to go up from tired cities and low plains 
 into the pure air and soft cool breezes of the Mahab- 
 leshwar Hills, our “ Rest Home ” in India ! All that 
 such an experience may mean to the missionary in the way 
 of hygienic, preventive influence is not easily estimated. 
 
 The world is beginning to leam that the ills of life, 
 hereditary and other, are around us, cumulative and pro- 
 gressive, because of our own carelessness and neglect. 
 
 “To cure is the voice of the past ; 
 
 To prevent, the divine whisper of to-day."