p. 20 | India | AdventAI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 18, 1908

India

From a personal letter written by Elder J. L. Shaw to Dr. W. A. Ruble, the following extracts are taken:—

“It seems very likely that we shall want a physician among the Tamil Sabbath-keepers in South India in a short time. Brother and Sister James, who are there, have some knowledge of our treatments, having worked for a time in Battle Creek. They are having some interesting experiences in treating the sick.

“As regards physicians practising in India having a degree from the A. M. M. C., I will say that it is possible for such physicians to practise anywhere in India or Burma without further qualification. It is not here as in Africa. Any one with almost any sort of medical training can put himself up as a doctor in India. There are some chemists who go by the name of doctors, diagnosing diseases and giving medicines. Nurses go out into the country districts, and give treatments and medicine according to their wisdom without any government interference. We are, however, always careful to caution our nurses not to attempt anything that they are not able to do. You may therefore tell any physicians planning to come to India that their degree from any medical college in America will be accepted in India, and they will be allowed to practise.

“We sent a cable last week for two nurses, as we are in desperate straits for help at the Mussoorie Sanitarium. Our accommodations, though limited, are filled with patients, and we have scarcely any trained help. Sister Smith, who has been in India for about six years is the only trained nurse at the sanitarium, and she is so badly broken down in health from the India climate, and her long service in sanitarium work, that she can do only about half work, and that under trying circumstances. When we passed the recommendation last November, and requested the Board to send us out nurses at once, we thought it would be possible to get them here by April 1, when the sanitarium opened. From your letter of March 24 I could see that you had no one definite in mind, and for this reason a cable was sent. I do not know how we shall bridge over the time until the workers arrive. If we keep the work going, I fear it will be at the expense of a breakdown for Sister Menkel and one or two other workers who are working beyond their strength. You know how difficult it is to get people from one side of the earth to the other.

“It was necessary to call Sister Kurtz, who had been studying the Hindustani language, from her work to take up nursing. She came under protest; and if we do not relieve her soon, she will lose courage in studying the language. We have had many workers begin with the study of a language, and then because of pressing work in English lines be pulled off from it after a few months’ effort. The result has been to depreciate the native work, and we have scarcely any worker in India who can speak any of the Indian languages to any appreciable extent. At our general meeting a year ago last January, we took a very positive stand in reference to the languages, and are still contending for the native work to keep it from being encroached upon by the English work. We hope to send Sister Kurtz back to the native work just as soon as help comes from America. We hope help is on the way by this time.

“We feel very grateful to God for the turn our medical work has taken in this field. We believe it comes in answer to the earnest prayers and efforts of a faithful band of workers. Of course we have not been in Mussoorie long enough to know what our patronage will be. However, we are thankful that we have all that we can do, and more, at the present time. We should have made much more advancement in our medical work had we started our sanitarium in the hills some time ago, instead of trying to carry it on in a congested, sickly city like Calcutta. After a few years that climate takes the strength of our strongest workers.

“Our people in the home land little appreciate the trying climate of the plains of India, nor do new workers when they first come out realize it. The heat on the plains just now is beyond description. I came from Burma a few weeks ago, and stopped a few days in Calcutta, where the temperature in the shade was from 108° F. to 110° F., and in the sun from 120° F. to 130° F.

“We have great difficulty at this season to carry on our work on the plains, and find ourselves at our wit’s end to know how to relieve different workers on the plains so that they can recuperate.

“This month the Mountain Mission Home is full of workers. Brother Burgess has typhoid fever, which he contracted on the plains, and has been hovering near the danger point for the past four weeks. Dr. Menkel thinks, however, he will pull through, and our workers are beseeching God in his behalf.

“I might write more at this time but will forbear. We are all of good courage. The work is onward in this field. Though there are many perplexities, God is for us, and we are seeing victory in his name.”