THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE DOSHISHA SCHOOL.
By S. N. Haskell
It may be interesting to those who have read the preceding articles, to learn something more of the medical department at the Doshisha school and its relation to the mission work at Kyoto, Japan. The hospital department for the treatment of patients and education of nurses was opened in the spring of 1886. But the necessity of it was seen and the project contemplated in the year 1883. The wards and dormitories were completed and formally opened on the 15th of November, 1887. The Japanese friends co-operated with the American Christians in establishing this enterprise, the former providing the land and the latter contributing to the erection of the building. Over five hundred and fifty of the natives contributed towards the enterprise. Over three thousand persons visited the building at the formal opening, among which were prominent Japanese physicians, government officers of the health and other departments; while others, including the governor of the district, wrote congratulatory letters. There are now completed dormitories for thirty nurses, one general ward, 90x29 feet, an obstetric ward, 68x29 feet, besides a building for clinics, dispensary, etc., a home for two lady superintendents of the training-school, kitchens, etc. Other buildings which have been considered absolutely necessary have been added, such as school-rooms and offices, etc. It was only April 1, 1887, that the systematical instruction of the nurses was commenced, consisting of lectures and classes only, with a little practical instruction in the out-patient department. The intellectual requirements for admission are: First, to be able to read the Holy Scriptures intelligibly. Second, to be able to write legibly. Third, to be quick and careful in observation. The pupils reside in the nurses' home on the hospital grounds, and serve as assistant nurses in the hospital wards. They wear a hospital uniform at their own expense, and pay for their board, but their tuition is free. They receive native Christians from any church who come recommended, providing those who send them are responsible for one-half their support. Religious instruction and practical suggestions in methods of conducting district work are given by the lady in charge of this department. They are received for no term less than two years. On June 26, 1889, the first class, of four in number, graduated, receiving their diplomas from Mr. Yamamoto, who also delivered the valedictory. It will be remembered from what has been stated in our previous articles on the Doshisha school, that this gentleman acted a prominent part in the early establishment of the school, and has ever since been a warm friend to the Christians. There were others then attending the classes, but they had not yet reached that state of efficiency so that diplomas could be granted them. The regular physicians who have this branch in charge are Dr. John C. Berry and Miss Sara C. Buckley, while there are also two American trained nurses, Miss L. A. J. Richards and Ida B. Smith. They are also assisted by others. In the statistical report of 1889 we find the number of the in-patients treated to be 219, the number of out-patients, 2,103, besides 2,819 of minor surgical operations, dressing wounds, etc. The number of visits to out-patients is given as 11,299. As stated in a former article, all of those who enter as pupils for nurses are impressed with the importance of its being a Christian work, and, whenever it is proper, to present Christ as the great Sympathizer of the suffering, and his willingness to bestow peace to the troubled hearts of those who believe in him. They have morning prayers in a nurses' home, and all those who are employed on the place and all patients who are able are invited. As to the religious interests, we quote from their second annual report of 1888:— "In order to prepare the nurses for organized Christian work, and to further their religious instruction during their term of study, it was early decided to commence a Sabbath-school on the premises and a preaching service for convalescent patients, nurses, and employees of the institution. On the second Sabbath of December, therefore, this school was begun, and in order to increase the attendance, the people of the neighborhood were invited to attend, while each Sabbath some of the nurses went out two by two into the adjoining park to bring in any children who might be there at play. The result was the first Sabbath an audience of 65; the second Sabbath, of 93; while on the third Sabbath 103 were present. At Christmas-time the ladies took special pains to make the service attractive, Christmas gifts being made to children and to others; and with the beginning of the new year, the school took on life distinct of its own. For the quarter just ending, the average attendance has been: Of adults, 55; of children, 52; a total average of 108. The number of classes in the school is 13, of which three are taught by Miss Richards, Dr. Buckley, and myself (the latter a class of physicians and medical students), one each by Mr. Hori and his wife, two by theological students from the Doshisha, and the remainder by the nurses. Following this service, at 2 o'clock, a preaching service is held in the out-patient waiting-room, at 3 o'clock the adjoining room being used for convalescent patients. The average attendance here has been 62. This audience is composed chiefly of adults, the children returning home from the former service to allow their parents to attend this." Dr. Berry states that the interest in religious work is still deepening, and it became so important that it was thought advisable to open another preaching place in the neighborhood, evening meetings within the hospital inclosure being impracticable. Accordingly a house was rented for this purpose. Two preaching services were established weekly, on Sunday and Thursday evenings, and a Bible-class on Tuesday evenings. The attendance varies from sixty to ninety, and between two and three hundred people by these various means are brought under the direct influence of the religious work weekly. Besides these more formal efforts, religious services are conducted by the hospital staff each morning on out-patient days, consisting of Bible-reading, a short address, and prayer. He further stated that a great number certainly have taken the words of truth, heard for the first time, back to remote regions where the gospel is unknown. He mentioned many interesting cases of individuals being thus led to come to the hospital to be treated, and thus became interested in the Christian religion. He mentioned one interesting case in particular, of an old gentleman who came to be treated, and was benefited; finally he disposed of his property and brought his family to Kyoto. He purchased a lot of land near the hospital and erected a very comfortable residence. On inquiry why he had located so near to them, he replied, "Oh, I am getting old and not very strong, and I shall feel much easier if I am near the hospital." He has contributed quite generously to the institution, and attended the religious services, until finally himself and wife and daughter, his son and son's wife, have embraced the Christian religion. It is an influential family, and certainly a happy one since their new-found life and hope. Miss Richards stated that she knew of no training-school in America where nurses with so little education as the most of their nurses, would be received. But they are quick to learn, sweet-tempered, and always polite. A church has been established, and their additions493are continuous. During the year, as stated in the report of 1889, twenty-eight were baptized, besides fifteen others who expressed their hope for baptism soon. Success in this department, says Dr. Berry, shows that the time for medical work has not passed in Japan. Its sphere, however, has changed. Ten years ago its leading influence was in allaying prejudice through practical illustration of Christian character. To-day its sphere is practical humanity and direct work for souls; and so long as man shall sin and suffer, so long will the hospital consecrated to Christ remain a potent agency through which to preach his gospel. The interest which has become so general and has resulted in the establishing of a growing church, took its rise in the hospital, but there has been a hearty co-operation by the friends at the Doshisha school, both teachers and students, and also by the members of the church, with the physicians and workers at the hospital. The knowledge that theirs is a Christian institution, and the usual presence in the wards of Christians, creates a sentiment in favor of the study of the truth. None are required to attend morning prayers or the Sabbath service, but all who are able attend. The influence of the exercises are sought further to be deepened by personal conversation, bedside Scripture readings and prayer, and by furnishing Bibles, tracts, and Christian papers during convalescence. He spoke of others, who had voluntarily come to their aid, one, a lady of rare promise, who had been at the woman's school at Kobe. She resides at a nurses' home, and labors among the in-patients; but her special work will be in the city, a missionary to the homes of the patients and their friends. Such is the work and the fruit of the medical branch of treating patients at the hospital and the out-patients as connected with the Doshisha Christian school in Kyoto, Japan. Can anyone doubt that God regards such efforts as this? Christ is our only example, and from our experience in these heathen countries, and from what we have seen of the mission work in its different phases, we have become thoroughly convinced that he who goes as a missionary to a foreign field, whether it be as a Bible-reader, a preacher, or teacher in schools, or in fact whatever phase of the work may be his labor, and knows nothing of the healing art, although he may preach the theory of the gospel quite successfully, is but half qualified, to say the least. Much more might be said to show the efficiency of this school; truly if in any institution we can see the hand of Providence and the special blessing of God, it can be seen where there is a combination of agencies, each of which was exemplified in the life of Christ. Education upon any one particular point, or a laborer going to a new field who can present but one phase of the gospel if left to himself, will ever be characterized with weakness. Christ was the only perfect being, exemplifying to humanity perfection in every respect. And while none of us possess all of those qualifications, yet by our placing ourselves in that attitude where we come as near the Pattern as possible, the Lord meets us,—makes up the deficiency by his grace. Shall we not have that faith that will grasp the field of labor as it is before us? Is our work to go lame and one-sided until the Lord comes? Or shall we in our labor in new fields blend together every trait of character which represents Christ in all its fullness? and can we not then expect a blessing which we could not receive under other circumstances? Further, shall we not make haste to prepare to enter openings which his providence has placed within our reach, and then look for the fulfillment of his promise to gather souls from every nation and kindred and tongue and people? We can but believe that this is a consistent faith, and one that God will honor with the riches of his blessing.