Medical Missionary Notes by W. A. R.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 9, 1909

Medical Missionary Notes

By W. A. R.

DR. A. W. HEWETT, of Edelstein, Ill., writes that he is having some good experiences in medical missionary work in that town.

Dr. L. A. Marsh, who for the past year has been lady physician at the Wabash Valley Sanitarium, has accepted a call to Loma Linda Sanitarium, and is at present connected with that institution.

In reporting from the St. Helena Sanitarium, Dr. H. F. Rand states that the patronage at that institution has been the best this summer it ever has been. All are much encouraged in the work.

Dr. Maria L. Edwards has lately been chosen medical secretary of the Pacific Union Conference. We are in hopes she will soon take up this work, and we are certain that good results will follow.

Mr. Harmon Lindsay, business manager of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, speaks of the work there: “September was one of the best months that this institution has ever seen as regards patronage and income. In December, we hope to see winter patronage come in.”

Mrs. Bertha Pierce Close, in writing from Aveca, Raiatea, gives some interesting experiences during her voyage to her field of labor. She and others of the company are having good results from combining the medical missionary work with the evangelical. She says the people are very thankful for both.

Mr. L. M. Bowen, who for some time has been helping in the business management of the Washington Sanitarium, has lately returned to California, to resume his work as business manager of the St. Helena Sanitarium. Before returning, he made a short visit to the Melrose Sanitarium, and gave them some valuable help. Brother Bowen’s help in the East has been appreciated.

“We have had a most excellent year as far as patronage is concerned,” writes Dr. W. H. Smith, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Sanitarium. “During the summer, the institution was filled most of the time, and this fall has been especially good, not only in the treatment-rooms, but in the house patronage. I see no reason, the way things are going now, why we should not enjoy a full patronage all winter. Medical work throughout the city is very slack, and our counseling men are congratulating us because we are so busy.”

A very interesting report comes from A. W. Semmens, business manager of the Sydney Sanitarium. Among other interesting items, he says: “The patronage of the sanitarium during the year has been good. We have had an average of thirty-eight patients, and the outlook for the present year is encouraging. Our financial condition has improved very materially during the year, due to better patronage and economy, as well as a fair amount of surgical work. A deep spiritual interest on the part of many patients has been manifested. Five have embraced the truth.”

Dr. Kiku Noma writes some very interesting items concerning the sanitarium work in Japan. She says: “We have thirty helpers in the institution, and they are all working in perfect harmony. We are receiving much of God’s blessing in our work.” Dr. Noma is having excellent success with her native sanitarium in Japan. While paying a high interest on the investment, she has paid all running expenses during the year, and has paid off several thousand dollars of indebtedness. The work has been considerably hampered, too, on account of two interruptions because of sickness during the year. She is now enjoying good health, and the work is prospering. It is necessary for her to secure the services of another physician to help her carry on the work of the institution.

Dr. Franklin Richards, of the Sydney Sanitarium, Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia, says: “The graduating exercises of the Sydney Sanitarium were held in the sanitarium parlor on the evening of September 20. Ten members composed the class. As our union conference council was just finishing its work, we had present with us state conference presidents and other workers from all parts of the field. It was, therefore, thought best to vary the exercises from the usual routine by calling upon a number of the workers to give five-minute addresses. After a few words of welcome by the chairman, and the rendering of a musical selection, a paper was read by A. W. Semmens, on ‘The Missionary Nurse,’ in which the work of our nurses was compared with that of the professionally trained nurse. Pastor A. H. Piper, the president of the West Australian Conference, then spoke five minutes on ‘The World’s Need of Missionary Nurses.’ Other subjects assigned were, ‘Why We Are Nurses,’ by a member of the class; ‘Our Nurses From the Patient’s Point of View;’ ‘Following the Master,’ an original poem; ‘Our Graduates;’ and several musical selections. The presentation of diplomas by the president of the Australasian Union Conference was the final feature of a very interesting program. Many of our former nurses are in the

island mission fields. They have varied and interesting experiences, reports of some of which are given in the Sabbath Readings. Our new year’s work is soon to begin. We have accepted a class of eighteen on the usual three-months’ probation.”

The Wabash Valley Sanitarium, La Fayette, Ind., reports the best year that the institution has ever experienced. They have just graduated a new class of four members: Miss Alice Gunderson, Miss Ethel F. Harrison, Miss Nellie M. Harrison, and Mr. Earl M. Dudley. The institution, although but two years old, has steadily grown during the last year. The new class admitted this fall numbers ten. A year ago at this time, six patients were in the institution, while now there are twenty-three. It is necessary to erect some new cottages, and the storehouse lately started is nearly completed.

We quote the following from a letter from Dr. G. B. Replogle, of Argentina, South America: “It is gratifying indeed to know of the interest manifested by our people in the foreign fields. The conditions here are somewhat different than in North America, but there is a great need of doctors. The laws here are very strict, however, concerning medical practise. I have been here now for seven months and can manage pretty well with the patients in their own language, but am not at all fluent. The work on the building of the new sanitarium is going ahead quite rapidly. As fast as a room is ready, it is occupied, sometimes by three or four patients. The fittings and furnishings and running expenses largely depend upon the receipts of the institution. We have about twelve house patients, and constant calls are coming from the outside. My work is pretty much that of house physician, but I am subject to outside calls. Dr. R. H. Habenicht answers most of these, however, as he is well known throughout the country. The past few days Dr. Habenicht has successfully performed some quite heavy operations. Our facilities are very limited, yet I do not see but that the results here are as good as could be. During the last two days, we have had three abdominal operations. They were all very unfavorable, but the patients are doing well.”

W. A. R.