_Medical Convention of the Pacific Union Conference_
THE second annual medical missionary convention of the Pacific Union Conference was held at Sanitarium, Cal., October 26-29, as previously advertized. These meetings are proving a source of great help and encouragement to the physicians and nurses on the Pacific Coast. The work of the doctor, whether connected with an institution or in private practise, is necessarily very confining; and if he is permitted to take a vacation, he feels that he must make the most of it. To attend a medical missionary convention gives him an opportunity to hear and learn something that will be helpful in his professional work, and at the same time he will be reminded of the relation it bears to the gospel message, and the part he should act in that message. Too often the busy doctor is unable to get away to camp-meeting; and if, perchance, he does attend, he is kept from most of the meetings in waiting upon the sick and suffering on the grounds. In addition to the physicians and nurses for whom the convention is especially planned, a general attendance of ministers and other conference workers is urged. Here the minister and the doctor sit down together, and study the peculiar work of each, and how they can blend their work, and thus present a complete gospel,—salvation of soul and body,—a theme worthy the consideration of angels as well as men. To mention in detail the many papers that were presented would far exceed the limits of this article. We can refer only to a few salient features, and those not more important than many others presented. A very timely subject that was given consideration was the old-time health reform movement. Special reference was made to the time when the minister felt the necessity of being informed on all20points of present truth, and, in addition to practising health reform, he felt constrained to instruct all those who were converted under his labors in this matter of right living, as well as in all other points of the faith. Now the health reform work, the canvassing work, the educational work, and the colporteur work are each largely given over to specialists, and the minister feels that his old-time manner of presenting health subjects would be considered unscientific. As a result, many who have come into the work later have not been fully instructed on health subjects, and thus have lost opportunities for working for their friends and neighbors. Papers were also presented setting forth the tendency to slackness in the matter of diet, to the liability of the physician to trust more in poisonous drugs than in the natural physiological remedies. The systematizing and practise of these principles have exalted our health work above all other healing agents in the eyes of those who stand in the forefront of the medical profession. One novel feature of this convention was the setting apart of one period for the consideration of those diseases that are the special foe of the missionaries in different lands. A dozen or more diseases were given consideration in the hour and a half set apart for this meeting. First, a nurse would give the general territory of the disease and a summary of the prominent symptoms and causes. Following this, a physician would consider the preventive precautions and the most approved methods of treatment. Even the most experienced physicians present expressed themselves as having profited greatly by the review of these dread maladies. Several resolutions were passed relating to the following subjects:— That physicians should enter into the missionary campaign inaugurated by the Mission Board for the distribution of the special REVIEW, with a view to obtaining missionary offerings. That the relief work which was made possible by the generosity of the author of that priceless book, “Ministry of Healing,” should be prosecuted more vigorously by those engaged in medical missionary work, that the downcast and discouraged may have the comfort that comes from reading the book, and that the sanitariums may have funds with which to carry on their work more effectively. That sanitarium boards arrange with conference officers for nurses to go out with tent companies and as Bible workers and other house-to-house workers, thus enabling them to supplement their professional training with practical experience in soul-winning. That the committee on medical literature prosecute the work of getting out more tracts and pamphlets bearing on health and temperance subjects. That the Medical Evangelist, published at Loma Linda, be set apart as a journal for the committee on medical literature, and that it be used as a medium of communication between those engaged in medical missionary work. It was voted to publish the full proceedings of the convention, with the most important papers and discussions, the same to be furnished for thirty-five cents. J. R. LEADSWORTH, M. D.,
Medical Secretary of Pacific Union Conference.