Should Women Train for Medical Missionary Work?
By Mamie Wilde Paulson
MAMIE WILDE PAULSON, M. D. When a woman contemplates beginning a medical course, her reasons for so doing must differ somewhat from those which induce a man to take up this work. It would not be reasonable to suppose that women could take the place of men in this field. If a woman is called to the work of a medical missionary, some need must appeal to her which she recognizes as one that can be filled only by women; otherwise, why should not the medical profession be left entirely to men? It is not necessary for a woman to take up this trying and most responsible work in order to find an avenue through which she can help humanity. The woman who presides over a Christian home, and renders such assistance as she can to those about her who are in need, is doing magnificent missionary work. Yet as we view the field, we must admit that there is a place for woman in medical missionary work. There comes to her ears the cry of the many thousands of women in foreign fields whom no man is allowed to help. They must remain within the inclosure, with body and soul sick, and yet no hand be extended to help them; or what is still more distressing, no one can come close enough to give words of sympathy and consolation. The lady physician can freely enter such homes, and impart to these women just the help that they need. She also hears the cries of her helpless and discouraged sisters in the homeland. The woman who practices medicine in this country, yet, not seeing the many opportunities of coming close to the heart of her patient, whether she be of high or low rank, does not put new inspiration into her life, nor teach her better things about the care of her children, or about a more helpful mode of dress and better ways of preparing food, is failing to accomplish her mission. This opportunity is found not only among the poor and outcast of our large cities, but also in our sanitariums and medical institutions. How often have women said to me, “How glad I am that I can have a woman physician; it enables me to talk more freely and ask questions which I would not feel free to ask a man.” When once the door to the heart is opened, no one can measure the good that the truly consecrated missionary lady physician may be able to do. However, the woman who enters a medical school feeling that, in order to be successful in her work, she must imitate the men in the profession, comes far short of accomplishing her work. We have met such lady physicians, and have felt that they were neither true ladies nor physicians. The young woman who enters our medical missionary college should so clearly feel the need which calls her to this work that during her course of training she will never for one moment lose sight of it. Such a one will accomplish much for her sisters that no gentleman physician could ever do. Dr. Kate Bushnell, who was for many years a medical missionary in China, was a great inspiration to me when I first contemplated taking up this work; for she was a true example of what a lady medical missionary should be. No one could be in her presence for a few moments without receiving higher ideals and a greater inspiration. Yet she was a true woman among women, and at the same time she was a great physician. If God calls you, my sister, into this work, do not waver for one moment, but seek to prepare yourself in the most thorough manner possible, and keep ever before you the great possibilities and opportunities that may be yours. If God does not call you into this work, do not enter it because it is popular, nor because of some fancied financial gain, nor because some friend urges you to do so.