STATEMENT SHOWING THE URGENT NECESSITY OF ESTABLISHING A Christian Medical School, Hospital, AND Training School for Nurses in Japan. PREPARED BY JOHN D., MEDICAL MISSIONARY IN JAPAN. PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION BY ORDER OF THE PROVISIONAL COMMITTEE IN PHILADELPHIA. PHILADELPHIA, 1884. STATEMENT SHOWING THE URGENT NECESSITY OF ESTABLISHING A Christian Medical School, Hospital, and Training School for Nurses in Japan. N the 3d of May, 1883, the members of a company of Japanese gentlemen, known as the Doshislia, with Rev- erend Joseph H. Neesima at its head, and formed, in accordance with the requirements of Japanese law, for the promotion of higher education in Japan, met at Kiyoto, and, after conference with the pastors and delegates of fourteen of the churches of Central Japan who had convened for the purpose, addressed a memorial to me and through me to the Christian philan- thropists of Great Britain and America, asking for co-opera- in the establishment of a Christian Medical School and Training School for Nurses in Japan. The proposition of the memoralists was to the effect that, if an endowment fund for the support of the necessary pro- fessors, and for the purchase of needed apparatus, could be furnished by friends abroad, they, on their part, would guar- antee to provide as rapidly as in their power all the necessary real estate and buildings required for dormitories, lecture rooms, and hospital. On receiving this memorial, and adding my reasons for favoring its proposals, it was sent out to all the missionary bodies laboring in Japan for their consideration. Replies 4 were received endorsing the movement as timely and calcu- lated to meet a national want in the social and moral regener- ation of the empire, and heartily commending it to the gener- ous support of their constituencies.* When about returning to this country numerous requests were received from foreign residents and Japanese friends to the effect that during my stay in the home-land somethi ng might be done for the enterprise. The warm interest here in all that pertains to the welfare of Japan, and the manifest desire on the part of her friends in America to aid her in her struggles for advance toward a higher and purer civilization, encourages the hope that she will not appeal in vain. Her condition at present is certainly critical, and requires all the help that Christian England and America can afford ; while her relation to great reforms in China and Corea, and indeed all Asia, is peculiar. In fact, there seldom occurs a time in the history of a nation when such far-reaching results would accrue to the interests of religion, of science, and of human- ity, by means so small, as at present in Japan by the estab- lishment of the institutions proposed. Before embarking for this country I conferred with promi- nent members of the government as to how such an institu- tion would be regarded, and received from them the assurance that, should friends in the United States express their interest in the welfare of Japan in the manner proposed, the Mikado’s government, far from taking umbrage at such a step, would doubtless take pleasure in showing its appreciation of such kindness by granting the institution every possible favor. Whether viewed, then, by the Christians of Japan, who know the wants of Protestant communities there, or by thoughtful Japanese, who are taking a prominent part in the nations progress from heathenism to a purer civilization ; by old missionaries of every denomination, who, by their long residence among the people, know well the needs of the country, or by mission boards in this country, who, in their wide survey, know the conditions and especial needs of the * For some of these letters, as well as those of missionary boards con- ducting work in Japan, see close of this statement. 5 nations of the world — all agree in regarding the establish- ment of a Christian medical school in Japan as of the greatest importance to her welfare, providing the institution is of such a character and on such a scale as shall enable it to meet the exigencies of the time. The government requirements of a medical school in order to its right to issue diplomas are (i) that it shall have three regularly educated physicians as instructors; and (2) a hos- pital where clinical teaching can be afforded. These provis- ions, at least, must be met — and more than this should be done. Indeed, a school that is to exert a national power such as is required in Japan to-day should have at least four for- eign and three native professors, thoroughly qualified for their work. Fortunately we have in a young man who a few years since graduated with honor at Jefferson Medical College one who is ready and qualified for such work ; and another who is in hearty sympathy with the movement, and who has re- cently come to this county, will soon enter the Medical De- partment of the University of Pennsylvania. It is to be hoped that a third may be found, or early raised up, in Japan. Estimate for the Support of Professors. For the support of these three men a yearly income will be required of about $2400; and for the support of each of the four foreign professors, the following is an approximate esti- mate : — Salary for one American professor, with family, . . $1,600 00 Health and medical allowance (to be granted if re- quired), 160 00 Allowance for keeping house in repair, 50 00 Accumulating margin to allow of visit to the United States for health or study, once in about eight years, 250 00 Yearly total, $2,000 00 6 For this amount, estimating an income of five per cent., there will be required a principal of $40,000 00 To this should be added: For the building of a house and purchase of house-lot, * 3,500 00 Passage money, 800 00 General outfit 650 OO Personal medical outfit (no general surgical outfit needed, as hospital will be provided with ne- cessary instruments and medicine), .... 50 OO Total needed for permanent endowment of one professorship, $45,000 00 As has before been intimated it is proposed to provide only for the support of these teachers, foreign and native, and for the purchase of needed apparatus in this country — such en- dowment fund to be under the care of a board of trustees, duly incorporated; while all the real estate and buildings are to be provided by the Christians of Japan and their friends, and sub- sequently held in trust by the Dos/iis/ia Company of Kiyoto. No embarrassment, therefore, can ever arise from the control or ownership of the property; while in the immediate relation sustained to the school through its professors, the board of trustees in this country will ever have it in their power to ex- ert a strong influence in maintaining the high moral and scientific character of the college. SPECIAL REASONS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THESE INSTITUTIONS. I. Medical School. 1. The appreciation of western medical science and THE WIDESPREAD DEMAND FOR EDUCATED PHYSICIANS. — In all the changes for good that have taken place with such start- ling rapidity in Japan during recent years, in none has reform been more marked than in medicine. At present the old 7 Chinese system is abandoned and a large proportion of the young men of the land are ambitious to acquire a knowledge of western medicine. The present is the era of medical edu- cation in Japan. 2. The absence of any provision by which a student CAN ACQUIRE a MEDICAL TRAINING UNDER WHOLESOME MORAL influences. — German skepticism has found fertile soil among medical students at the Tokiyo University, and the strong tide of materialism now sweeping over the land gains new force from men who have been educated there and at the provincial schools. In fact, nowhere in Japan is there provision for the medical training of young men without their becoming im- bued with a strange mixture of heathenism, modern skepti- cism and infidelity. 3. The DEMAND, THEREFORE, FOR A MEDICAL SCHOOL UNDER Christian auspices is widespread and urgent among the Protestant communities ; and this demand is emphasized by their strong desire for well educated Christian physicians to co-operate with them in the conduct and support of those organized charities so common to all Christian communities. 4. Its need for the development of medical science in Japan. — Heretofore German influence has prevailed in medical education, and at present it is largely in the hands of Japanese who have been thus'educated. The exclusive views of the Ger- man teacher have become intensified in the Japanese pupil, so that these young men seem to regard the realm of medical science as bound up in German medical literature — they them- selves being the only reliable medium for its expression in Japan. The influence of a school representing the advanced medical science of England and America, and impressing upon its pu- pils the true and liberal idea that science belongs exclusively to no country or race, but has the entire world for her domain, would be potent in developing and liberalizing the medical edu- cation of the land. The importance of this was appreciated by prominent members of the government a few years since, when a medical school was started at Osaka under English direction. Owing to an embarrassed national exchequer arising from the rebellion of 1876, however, the school was 8 abandoned — to the great disappointment, I may add, of many who had prepared themselves for an English course in medi- cine. 5. It is a native enterprise, and will receive the hearty support of the people. — Already the proposition of the Doshislia to establish such a work has called forth numer- ous expressions of approval and, in some cases, promises of substantial aid. As yet, however, the Christians include so few men of wealth, and the non-Christian public realize so little the need of a medical school under Christian auspices, that native aid must be largely supplemented by assistance from abroad. 6. The establishment of the proposed medical school WILL BE IN HARMONY WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE NUMEROUS MISSION SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE LAND, VIZ., THE PROMOTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION UNDER CHRISTIAN AUS- PICES. The Japanese people appreciate the value of medical knowl- edge as they do no other branch of higher learning, and the influence of the college in recommending to the public Chris- tian educational work in general, will be considerable. This medical department, too, will be a centre nourished by all these Christian schools, and the practical object which will thus be afforded to the learning acquired in them will con- tribute directly to their success ; while by the requisition that the matriculates of the former shall possess acquirements equal to the graduates of the latter, young men outside of Protestant communities, desiring to study medicine, will be influenced to enter mission schools for preparatory study, thus bringing them for three to five years under a strong Christian influence. The hospital, too, in so large and populous a centre, will be of benefit to the interests of humanity, while its wards for women will afford opportunity for practical instruction to the student of the proposed Training School for Nurses. 7. The aid resulting to Christian work. The benefits that would arise from the co-operation of in- telligent Christian physicians, are appreciated and loudly called for by the pastors and evangelists throughout the broad field ; 9 and the ultimate success of the institution will be further in- sured by their own and their people’s hearty co-operation in its behalf. The history and results of Christian endeavor in every age have shown that men are easily reached and in- fluenced for good by those instrumental in relieving them when suffering disease. The timely word of physician and nurse has ever been potent in every land in bringing such to Christ, and the Christian physician of tact and devotion has ever been, and still is, numbered among the most influential auxiliaries which the Christian pastor or missionary has in his work. Our blessed Saviour, in devoting so large a propor- tion of his time on earth to the relief of the sick, and in then committing the gift of healing to the early disciples, gave an example for the conduct of Christian work in all lands; and the education of Christian native physicians would be but another step in furthering this department of work in Japan, to the efficiency of which the experience of Christian missions in that country bears striking testimony. II. Training School for Nurses. 1. Its need. — In view of the appreciation of the value of trained nurses in the United States and Great Britain, and the appalling ignorance that prevails among all classes in Japan as to the proper care of the sick, nothing need be said in favor of the establishment of such an institution other than the simple statement that, as yet, nothing has been done in this line of work. If the demand for educated Christian physi- cians in Japan is strong, that for educated nurses is stronger. Native and foreign physicians alike find themselves embar- rassed by the absence of intelligence in the sick room, and not infrequently life itself it jeopardized by thoughtless officiousness or the temerity of ignorance. 2. Its aid to Christian work. — Though ready to educate nurses who shall be at liberty to engage in hospital or private work as opportunity may offer, the primary object of the school will be to train Christian women who shall, in the larger cities where Christian work is being done and under IO competent management, engage (i) in district work among the sick, co-operating, as far as possible, with the native physicians ; and (2) as Bible nurses in imparting a knowledge of the truth and the consolations of the Christian religion to all with whom their labors bring them in contact. In this connection a resolution, unanimously adopted by the General Missionary Conference held last year at Osaka, may be quoted: “In the opinion of this conference there is an opening for the operations of competent and devoted Chris- tian ladies in the training of Japanese women as nurses for the sick, whether in hospitals or elsewhere, there being many points in the Japanese character well suited to such work, but no knowledge whatever at present as to how to make use of them ; and the provisions of such training being calculated to give a stimulating impulse to the influence and effect of medi- cal missions in this country.” In view, therefore, of the foregoing considerations, and the conviction that the earliest and fullest development of a Chris- tian civilization in the Orient requires a native agency fully equipped for all the departments of higher work which have been helpful in Western lands, can it be doubted that the time has come for the inauguration of an institution such as is here contemplated? While earnestly recommending, therefore, its claims to the favor of Christian philanthropists, yet as a mem- ber of that great and noble brotherhood who have ever been alive to the wants of humanity and to the claims of science, I especially appeal to the members of the medical, dental, and pharmaceutical professions, to aid with men and means in es- tablishing an Independent Christian Medical School in Japan, with its chair of practical dentistry and its training school for nurses, such as shall exert a national power, meet the exigen- cies of the time, and constitute one more potent factor in the social and moral regeneration of Asia. Philadelphia, May 19th, 1884. COMMENDATORY LETTERS. 13 American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Congregational House, i Somerset Street, Boston, May 9th, 1884. J. C. Berry , M. I)., Philadelphia , Dear Dr. Berry : — Our Prudential Committee were very much interested in the representations which you made on Tuesday last, and in the various papers that have been re- ceived from Japan relative to the proposed medical institution. It is felt by all that the circumstances of Japan are wholly exceptional. There is an awakening of the Japanese mind to the value of those institutions which have done so much to promote the best interests of a Christian civilization in this country and in Great Britain. It is felt, therefore, that the native Christians in Japan are wise and far-sighted in their desires to establish a medical institution upon a Christian basis. The influence which Christian physicians can exert on the social life of their people is duly estimated by them, and their readiness to assist in establishing such an institution is worthy of all praise. The Prudential Committee of the Board fully appreciate this sentiment on the part of the Japanese Christians, and cordially endorse any effort you may make in behalf of such an institution. While they cannot appropriate mission funds for the object, or approve of their friends divert- ing funds to this object that would otherwise go into the treasury of the Board for Evangelistic objects,* they would heartily commend the enterprise to Christian philanthropists of all classes, and to friends of missions also who may feel special interest and have the ability to aid in an enterprise of so great interest and prospective value to Christian civiliza- tion in Japan. The committee are glad to allow you time and opportunity to promote this object in this country, in the ex- pectation also that you will be associated with the college in time to come, should the enterprise succeed. The committee feel, therefore, in consenting to this arrangement, they are really contributing largely to the enterprise. Very sincerely yours, N. G. CLARK. '"'I would emphasize the importance of this sentiment. The grand work of mission boards is too important, and at present too inadequately sustained, to allow of the diversion of a single dollar from their treas- uries, even for so important an enterprise as this proposed. J. C. B. 14 Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, New York, May 12th, 1884. J. C. Berry , M. D., rgio Green Street , Philadelphia , Dear Sir: — Your letter was brought before the Board of Foreign Missions this morning and was favorably considered. Whereupon the Board adopted the following minute : “ The Board having listened to a letter from J. C. Berry, M. D., mis- sionary of the American Board in Japan, setting forth the great need of an undenominational but thoroughly Christian Medical College for the training of native Japanese physicians in their own country, it was resolved that the Board regards with favor the plan proposed in the hope that thereby medical science under strictly Christian auspices may be promoted, and that Protestant communities especially may be provided with Christian physicians.” Sincerely yours, F. F. ELLINWOOD. Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church of America, 34 Vesey Street, New York, May 15th, 1884. Dr. John C. Berry , Philadelphia , Dear Brother : — It gives me pleasure to state that your plan for the establishment of an Independent Christian Medi- cal School, Hospital, and Training School for Nurses in Japan, was listened to with great interest by our Board at its meeting yesterday, as presented in your letter of the 10th instant. After some inquiries it was unanimously “ Resolved, That this Board give to the proposed plan its hearty endorsement.” Wishing you complete success in your effort to secure the establishment of such an institution, I am, Yours, very sincerely, HENRY N. COBB, Cor. See. ( From Bishop J. IV Wiley, D. D., in charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church Missions in Japan and China) John C. Berry, M I)., Dear Sir: — I have heard with very great interest your purpose and plan for the inauguration of an undenominational i5 but entirely Christian Medical College, Hospital, and Training School for Nurses in Japan. I have long been an interested student of affairs in Japan, and for several years have had official relation to our mission work in that empire, and am prepared at once heartily to endorse your enterprise and to commend it to the very favorable consideration of Christian people, and especially to the interest of Christian physicians. Having been myself a student of medicine, and for several years a medical missionary to our mission in Foochow, China, I feel the better prepared to express an opinion on the very great importance of the fact that medical science at its very introduction to Japan should be permeated by Christian prin- ciples. It is a matter of great pleasure to me to know that Christian Japanese are themselves so early appreciating the importance of this fact, and are so desirous of sending their sons to an institution where medical science may be taught unincumbered by skeptical and materialistic principles. Hoping you may have entire success in accomplishing your enterprise, I am, truly yours, J. W. WILEY, Bishop of the M. E. Church in charge of Missions in Japan and China. Philadelphia, May 22d, 1884. ( From J. C. Hepburn, M. D., LL. D., Presbyterian Mission . ) Yokohama, June 13th, 1883. Dear Dr. Berry : — I have received your letter enclosing a “statement of the reasons favoring the establishment of a Christian Medical School in Japan.” I have read this paper with great interest, and I must cor- dially agree with you in the great need there is for a Christian school of this kind in this country, and sincerely hope that you may be able to carry out the plan to a satisfactory con- summation. * Saikiyo appears to me to be, on many accounts, the best place for such a school, and you are fortunate in having a [*The modern name of Kiyoto. — A uthor.] i6 company of native gentlemen already organized who have such a measure at heart and who will recommend it to their countrymen. I have no doubt of its success under a competent medical faculty. I am, my dear sir, Sincerely yours, J. C. HEPBURN. [From Reverend James H. Ballagh, Reformed [Dutch) Church Mission .) Yokohoma, June 14th, 1883. J. C. Berry , M. D., Very Dear Brother: — I am in receipt of your letter of the 19th ult., enclosing reasons for the establishment of a medical department and a school for training nurses in con- nection with the Do Shi Sha school at Kioto. That there is great need for a school for medical training under Christian auspices is very apparent from the reasons assigned by your circular and which are patent to all who reside in Japan. Particularly desirable and favorable I conceive it to be that this medical school is to be situated in Kioto, where it will not come so immediately into competition with the Gov’t Medical College in Tokio, and where a large field is to be provided for. Nevertheless I believe the success of a med- ical school at Kioto will lead to the establishment of another where it is also very much needed, at Tokio. As to the need of trained nurses no individual testimony is necessary after the united testimony of the late Osaka Conference. With sentiments of the greatest regard, I am yours truly, JAS. H. BALLAGH. [From Dr. D. McDonald, Canadian Wesleyan Union) 5 Tsukiji Tokiyo, June 1 8th, 1884. Dear Dr. Berry : — I am at one with you in the “ reasons favoring the establishment of a Christian Medical School,” and a “ Training School for Nurses.” 1 7 The movement is timely. An institution of that kind would be sure of success. It would attract students in large num- bers, and would have a wide sphere of usefulness. I believe that there are many young men in Japan who would be very glad to become acquainted with medical science through the medium of English language. There is no doubt that a Christian Medical School would be a powerful aid in the moral elevation and evangelization of this empire. The institution should be first class. Its gradu- ates should be as well trained and furnished as the graduates of the Government School. With anything less than this the object would not be attained. Your connection, however, with the institution in its inception is a guarantee that, if founded, it will be thorough and first class. When I read your letter and “ reasons,” I said within my- self : “ This is a wise discernment of the signs of the times ; a movement that is full of potency and promise.” I beg, there- fore, to send my best wishes to you and the Doshisha for the complete accomplishment of your plan. With best regards Sincerely yours, d. McDonald. ( From Rev. Henry Stout, Reformed Church of America.) Nagasaki, June 9th, 1883. J. C. Berry, M. I)., Dear Brother: — I have read your letter and the “ reasons favoring the establishment of a Christian Medical School," and a “Training School for Nurses,” with much pleasure. It seems to me that the “reasons" you have given, showing the desirability of establishing such institutions, are so well pre- sented that nothing need be added. However, to those of us who reside in Nagasaki, surrounded by Romanism and seeing the effect which that system has so long had upon the minds of the people at large, another point naturally suggests itself, viz. , the influence which such practical philanthropic institu- tions would have in illustrating what the outcome of true Christianity is, in contrast with mere ecclesiasticism. I have for a long time felt that a medical mission in Nagasaki would be a potent influence in breaking up the prejudice that exists against Chrstianity. And though it cannot be expected that the schools proposed shall be established here, we may look forward to the time when their influence shall extend in this di- i8 rection, and some of the graduates locate here as practitioners. I cannot, therefore, fail to take the greatest interest in the pro- posals made, and I most sincerely hope that those who have undertaken the establishment of these institutions, will soon find their hopes most fully realized. With kind regards, I am, in Christ and his work, Your brother, HENRY STOUT. {From Rev. Nathan Brmvn, D. I)., American Baptist Mission .) Yokohama, July 13th, 1883. My Dear Dr. Berry : — My sympathies are entirely with you in the plans you are forming for what I trust may be a noble institution, one greatly needed and full of promise. Something may, no doubt, be done by lectures for the more highly edu- cated classes, such as we had last year and are to have again this year at Tokio, but the greater hope is in striking at the root by giving a Christian education from the very beginning. With kindest regards to you and yours, Ever sincerely, NATHAN BROWN. ( From Rev. Charles F. Warren , Senior Missionary of the Japan Mission of the Church Missionary Society , England.) Osaka, June 9th, 1883. Dear Dr. Berry: — I am in receipt of your letter of the 17th ult., enclosing a copy of your reasons in favor of the es- tablishment of a Christian Medical School at Kiyoto, in con- nection with the Doshisha. The project is one that must commend itself to every Christ- ian philanthropist, and, if carried out, cannot but exert a wide- spread influence for good in every way. Christian medical men are a power anywhere, and they will be especially so in Japan, where the medical profession is so universally respected. The prevalence of materialism amongst the educated classes generally, and especially amongst the physicians educated in the government schools, demands that an effort should be made to provide a band of thoroughly competent Christian physicians, whose sympathies and influence would be on the side of Christian faith and evangelistic effort. *9 The establishment of a school for the training of Christian nurses is much to be desired, and would supply a want which is deeply felt. Whilst I can say nothing about details, I most heartily en- dorse the general scheme proposed, and trust that your appeal to the Christian public of Great Britain and America, may be met by such a response as will enable you to inaugurate the work at no distant day. Should this be so, I feel persuaded that ten or twenty years hence the widespread influence of the proposed institution will be one of the most potent factors in the advancement of both true science and Christian work. Wishing you every success in this and in all your works, be- lieve me, Faithfully yours, in the bonds of Christ, CHAS. F. WARREN. C. M. S. J. C. Berry, Esq., M. D., Okayama. ( From Dr. Laning, American Episcopal Church Mission) Osaka, June 6, 1883. My Dear Doctor: — I am in receipt of your favor of the 19th ult. The good which might be accomplished in Japan by a Christian Medical School and Training School for Nurses is so evident that one would suppose their establishment would be encouraged by all who have at heart the good of the Jap- anese people. A medical school of an inferior grade I can readily see might be objected to by some as undesirable, but in the present instance I suppose the objection could not ob- tain, inasmuch as I understand it to be the intention to make the school one which will afford opportunities for the study of the medical sciences equal, at least, to the advantages afforded by the best of the native medical schools, so that the time of the student can be spent to the best possible advantage so far as medical scientific pursuit is concerned ; and in addition to this, moral science, which is the crying need of Japan, would also be acquired, the good effect of which to all classes would be inestimable. But I refrain from writing more because -the reasons, as expressed in your paper, I should think ought to be sufficiently convincing of the desirability of both institutions. Believe me to be as ever, Yours, very truly, H. LANING. Dr. J. C. Berry, Okayama, Japan. Tokio, Japan, June 26th, 1883. Doctor John C. JJeny, Dear Sir and Brother. — It rejoices me greatly to learn, as I do through your letter now before me, that the company of Japanese Christians in Kioto, known as the Doshisha, with Rev. Joseph Neesima at its head, organized for the promotion of educational work, propose to establish a Christian Medical School and a Training School for Nurses, the schools to be na- tional and catholic in character. As to the need of such in- stitutions in Japan, there is no room for doubt. I therefore most heartily recommend the proposed work to the favorable consideration of all Christian philanthropists. Yours, most heartily, J. HARTZLER, Superintendent of the Japan Mission of the Evangelical Association of North America. American Bible Society Agency for Japan. Bible House, No. 42 A. Yokohama, June 8th, 1883. Dear Dr. Berry : — The proposition to establish a medical college under Christian auspices meets with my most hearty approval. It is a common experience of all who labor for the spiritual elevation of this people that we are met by ignorance and prejudice on every hand. Even those who have received instruction from foreign teachers are too often utterly igno- rant of the truths of Christianity and even opposed to its dis- semination. There is, therefore, great need of such an institution as is proposed, both for the bodily and the spiritual wants of this people. The lack of knowledge of even the most simple rules of health is everywhere apparent, and anything that will supply this want will be an unspeakable boon to Japan. I need only say that the management proposed gives every needful assurance of its usefulness and success. Sincerely yours, H. LOOMIS.