Postgraduate Course for Nurses at the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium
By R. S. Ingersoll
All who realize the times in which we are living appreciate the need of preparing workers to carry this message to earth’s remotest bounds as speedily as possible. Millions in heathen darkness must be reached. The heathen mind is quite satisfied with its condition; the people are content to live and dies as did their ancestors. They say, “What was good enough for my father and grandfather is good enough for me.” Extraordinary means are required to reach these people. The medical missionary has in these heathen lands more than ordinary power for breaking down the barrier which centuries of heathenism have reared. The internal life is touched effectually by attention to one’s physical needs; and the latch-string of the soul’s door being pulled, the way is open for the gospel to enter. The medical missionary requires a dual education. He must develop ability to deal with the physical as well as the spiritual condition of individuals. Having in mind the greater efficiency of this balance between the medical and evangelistic sides of the medical missionary, the Foreign Mission Seminary and the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium have seriously considered the necessity of a more complete education for the students in both institutions, and have concluded to combine their educational interests. Realizing the need of training nurses who have a superior qualification and fitness for responsible positions, the medical men and women in attendance at the General Conference in 1909 advocated that certain of our sanitariums conduct a fourth year in the regular nurses’ course. This was intended to qualify nurses for various positions of responsibility. This work was to be given in some of our institutions which, on account of location or other advantages, could effectually conduct such a course. Having spent eight years in one of the most needy mission fields in the world, I have learned to appreciate very much a school which will give to nurses the ability, without requiring of them the legal qualifications, of the physician. The first is the necessary requisite; the latter is the expensive qualification needed by a certain number, but not necessary for the large majority of missionaries15in such countries as India, China, Africa, and South America. What is wanted in these lands of darkness is many little lights scattered all about, so that all can come closely enough in contact with them to realize what they are. The people need not simply to see a great light, but to come close, and learn what makes the light. The personal touch that healed the woman in the crowd is needed now. The Saviour’s representatives must be touched, and must touch, in order to be effective. The education of these many light-bearers is going on all over our land. However, a special final preparation is necessary, and this is what the Foreign Mission Seminary aims to give. The Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium is so situated that it can cooperate with the Seminary in this work. This is what it is seeking to do in arranging for a practical postgraduate medical missionary course. This course is to give the student such advanced work in different branches as may be needed. It does not limit itself to the worker who is going to the mission field, but aims to prepare missionaries for work in our large cities as well as for positions of responsibility in our various institutions. In order to make room for, and give experience to, those who come for this course, we are not taking any more undergraduates, and are concentrating our educational efforts upon the postgraduate course. The study of the Bible will receive special attention, the students having daily recitations therein. Missionary plans and methods and the study of special mission fields will be taught by men who have been on the ground, and have had practical experience. This can not but awaken and deepen an interest. The man who has been in the field, and who is willing to say, “Come,” inspires more confidence than he who merely says, “Go.” In strictly medical ways, due attention will be given to subjects which will help the worker in the field. A knowledge of applied anatomy, minor surgery, and anesthetics will enable the worker to care for the majority of surgical conditions which come to a mission dispensary in the form of boils, abscesses, wounds, bruises, etc. Physical diagnosis will enable the student to examine the patient, and determine what is the trouble with the lungs and other internal organs. The poor, helpless natives of India, for example, look to the missionary for help physically, and are disappointed if they do not receive it. Their idea is that the power to heal and destroy is with the gods; and why should not the one telling them of the great new God be able to heal them? The missionary who has the interests of the people at heart will seek a medical book ere he has been in his station long, and strive to learn something that will enable him to relieve the many who come. A study of skin diseases, tropical hygiene, tropical diseases, diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, obstetrics and gynecology, special diseases, and accidents and emergencies will give the foreign missionary an efficient and practical preparation for his work. These subjects will receive due attention in this course. Besides these, there will be advanced work in electricity and hydrotherapy, Swedish and medical gymnastics, the chemistry and microscopy of foods and excretions, dietetics, principles of hygienic dress, and mental diseases, all of which will be of value to the missionary, as well as to those who are to hold responsible positions in our various institutions or to work in the cities of our own country. It is a part of our plan to have a dispensary in the city of Washington, where the students can gain an experience in dealing with conditions such as they will meet in their future fields of labor. The students will spend a part of their time in this dispensary work, helping the poor and needy in any way they can. This cooperative plan comprehends the idea of shifting our nurses from their present home to the Foreign Mission Seminary dormitories, thus releasing the building at present occupied by them for use as a hospital. This will be a great blessing, not only to the students, but also to many of our people who can not afford the rates we are obliged to charge for care in the Sanitarium. A rate of one dollar a day will be given in the wards of this hospital. Prices in private rooms will range from $9 to $15 a week, depending upon the room chosen, and whether one person occupies the same, or whether it has two occupants. We hope to have the hospital in readiness in the course of four or five weeks. Those who consider entering this course should write to the president of the Foreign Mission Seminary for application blanks. The writer solicits correspondence with any who may desire to avail themselves of the advantages of the Sanitarium or the Sanitarium Hospital. Be on the outlook, and send us a postal card with the address of some one in your vicinity who needs treatment. Tell us a word about their condition and circumstances. We shall be glad to send literature to such as might become Sanitarium patients. We solicit your interest and cooperation with us in this great work. These, united with prayer and diligence on our part, will bring success. R. S. INGERSOLL, M. D.,
Medical Superintendent.