Aitutaki, Cook Islands
By Mrs. Geo. L. Sterling
IT is now nearly two months since we came to Aitutaki to stay. We have been very busy ever since our arrival. The natives did not know at first that we knew anything about caring for the sick, or that we had any sympathy for their sick ones. Gradually they found this out; and now whenever we visit the natives in their homes, the sick are brought to us, or we are requested to go and visit them. When we go to other villages to hold meetings, invitations frequently come to call at houses near by to see the sick. In some cases we are able to render assistance by means of simple treatments, while other cases are beyond our ability. There is no doctor here, and many cases are in need of a skilled physician's care. Some need surgical operations. There was a physician here some time ago, but he did not feel that he could remain with no better compensation than that which the natives paid him. The resident agent of the Cook Islands administration carries drugs, but he has little medical knowledge. In many cases he guesses as to what may be the malady, and deals out medicine accordingly, without ever seeing the patient. This often proves worse than no medicine at all. The Catholic mission on the island also dispenses some medicine. Two government doctors are located on Rarotonga, and occasionally one or the other visits the outlying islands of the group including Aitutaki. One is expected soon by the London Missionary Society mission ship, “John Williams.” There is much suffering among the women and children. There is more superstition than I at first thought. They have learned that the foreigner does not sanction such ideas, so they do not talk them to us unless we question to draw them out. Many times they attribute the sickness to an evil spirit, saying that this or that person has a maki tupapaku, or is made sick by an evil spirit. One would hardly expect to find a people believing such a doctrine after having heard the gospel of Christ for ninety years; but those old superstitions are hard to forget. Usually, when it is thought that a patient is suffering from a maki tupapaku, a native doctor is called, who at once sanctions that idea, and lays the blame on the spirit of a relative who has died, or sometimes a living relative may be accused. They administer some sort of crude treatment, or give orders to have the patient removed to another village or to the house of another relative. At times they will do nothing for the sick, saying that there is no use, for if it is a sickness caused by an evil spirit, the individual will die anyway. In such cases lives are lost that might be saved. When we arrived on Aitutaki, there was a new-born baby in a part of the house in which we were to live. After about ten days the baby developed something like fits. The natives soon circulated the report that the grandmother of the child, who had been dead some time, was angry because her mosquito-net had been given to the young mother and baby to use; therefore the child was being tormented by the old grandmother's spirit, causing fits. As we associate with the people, and behold their utter ignorance of the laws of hygiene and cleanliness, we pity them. It requires patient teaching and example to bring about any change. There are some very loathsome diseases here. These are made even worse because of the most insanitary condition in which most of those live who have them. Some forms of leprosy also exist, though those who are known to have it are banished to a small island off the coast. I am sure there are cases ashore now that should be sent there. I have many times felt thankful to God for his care over us, that none of these diseases have fastened themselves upon us. He has left on record his blessed promises for our encouragement: “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Ps. 91:10, 11. “They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Mark 16:18. We are glad for the interest that our brethren and sisters have in us and our needy field. We are sure that not only your donations from time to time are given to help the work, but that your prayers also arise for us. The Lord will bless each one of you according to your love and earnestness in his service.