Medical Missionary Work in the City of Chicago
By D. H. Kress, M. D.
DURING the summer months six tent efforts were conducted in the city. These meetings were fairly well attended. In connection with all but one of these efforts, we conducted schools of health. Each afternoon during the week, with the exception of Sunday and Sabbath, we gave a demonstration in cookery or in simple treatments, preceded by a short lecture. The work done by Mrs. Kress especially, seemed to be highly appreciated by those attending. A certain amount of prejudice exists on the part of some against going to a tent; for this reason the audiences were not so large as we usually get when conducting these efforts in halls or churches. Each evening a health or temperance lecture was given at one of the tents. The tent efforts have closed, but plans are being laid to carry forward a special effort in a good-sized hall centrally located in a good residential district of the city. Elder K. C. Russell will be in charge of this effort, and will be assisted by a corps of well-organized and capable workers. In addition to this, we have opened up our South Side Medical Missionary Training-school, for the purpose of assisting those who are desirous of obtaining a special and speedy training for medical missionary work in the homes of the people. The school was opened on October 15. There was a splendid attendance on the night of the opening. Remarks were made by Elders G. E. Langdon, K. C. Russell, W. D. Forde, Drs. David Paulson, L. H. Wolfsen, W. S. Saddler, A. A. John, and D. H. Kress. The Spirit of God was present to witness to this effort. The first class was held the next day. There was an attendance of twenty-four. We hope by the end of another week to have between thirty and forty present. The workers in training here expect to assist in the efforts conducted in the large hall. An effort will also be made to conduct a similar work in our churches. Every church should be a training center for medical missionaries, and every member a real missionary in the home and community in which he lives. This is not too much to hope, pray, and work for. We are also opening up a medical missionary nurses’ bureau in connection with the Branch Sanitarium Medical Missionary Training-school. We hope that many of the nurses who, on being graduated from our sanitariums, feel compelled to go out and work under physicians who are not in sympathy with the principles they have been taught, and in doing so daily violate a conscience enlightened by truth, will unite with us and assist in this effort in Chicago. We shall endeavor to secure cases for them. They are entitled to all they earn while on cases. When not on a case, they can have the benefit of this training center at a charge of three dollars a week for board and room, and can assist in work for the poorer classes, sell our periodicals, or rest until another case is secured. We now have calls we are unable to fill. In this way these workers may work under some one of our city physicians. At present we have seven doctors in Chicago, and we hope soon to have others here for the purpose of carrying18forward a medical missionary effort for all classes. We are also locating nurses in various parts of the city, as the way opens. These go out two and two. We open up a room or two, equipped at first with merely a treatment table, electric batteries and vibrators. With the addition of massage, cold mitten friction, fomentations, etc., a good work can be done without the expense of even a bath-tub or spray. These nurses work in the community in which they are located, and from these centers go out as visiting nurses. We sincerely hope we shall have the prayers of God’s people everywhere, that his blessing may rest on all these endeavors, and that wisdom may be given in carrying forward the work contemplated in this city.