Medical Missionary Department
By L. A. Hansen
Conducted by the Medical Department of the General Conference GEORGE THOMASON, M. D. - - - - Secretary
L. A. HANSEN - - - - Assistant Secretary Reports From City Treatment-Rooms
SEVERAL treatment-rooms have sent in reports of last year's work. These reports show some interesting figures. The volume of business done is indicated by the average number of daily treatments, which was twenty-eight, the largest number given in any one day being forty-eight. In number of persons reached and treatments given, this compares favorably with quite a few sanitariums. It will be seen, too, that a great deal of good is accomplished in giving to many a favorable impression of our work in general, and in creating openings for the presentation of the truth. Those conducting these enterprises carry the entire burden of financial support and management. No call is made for material assistance, but these treatment-room workers wish to be recognized as having a part in the spread of the truth, and they solicit the moral support and the prayers of our people. Properly conducted, a treatment-room may be a strong factor for good. Not only can it build up a useful work of its own with an increasing constituency, but it can do very effective service in cooperating with our sanitariums by sending patients who need sanitarium care, and by continuing necessary treatments on the return of the patients. Sanitariums can reciprocate, and thus these health institutions work together to the mutual upbuilding of their work. Dr. J. E. Froom, of Boise, Idaho, reports 2,606 treatments for 1911, which does not include office treatments nor his own professional work. He says:— "Our work has brought us close to many in all walks of life, and we are often cheered to see the way open for presenting matters of more consequence than the mere alleviation of pain. Many times we have been surprised to find individuals well acquainted with the truth, and in their extremity many of them show a preference for Seventh-day Adventists. "In loaning 'Ministry of Healing' to the wife of one of our leading public officials, we learned that her sister is a Seventh-day Adventist. That was the beginning of many interviews in which we tried to sow seed in faith. "At another time, on being called to the leading hotel, I found a sufferer who had been reared in an Adventist family, and had taken pains to learn about the believers in Boise since locating here. She is not obedient to the faith, but still feels strongly drawn to it. "A few words often result in a patient's carrying home one of our precious books and reading it with genuine interest, and a number of our patients are now receiving regular instruction from our conference Bible worker." In Calcutta, India, treatment-rooms have been operated since 1908, when the sanitarium was moved to Mussoorie. A report is given of 2,243 treatments for 1911. Brother J. H. Reagan, the manager, writes:— "We started the treatment-rooms under somewhat discouraging circumstances, having a debt of three thousand dollars. It was an innovation in this country to run treatment-rooms without a doctor. Personally, I could undertake it only as I could put my trust in God's help to do what seemed impossible. My motto is, 'Work and pray.' I am thankful to say God manifested his power in a remarkable way. The first season we were overwhelmed with patronage, and managed to reduce our indebtedness very materially. We have now liquidated all our indebtedness, besides installing additional equipment. We have every reason to be grateful to God for the way he has helped us out of our difficulties. "We have always kept in mind the primary object of this work—to bring the gospel before the people as opportunity offers. Our patrons are well up the rungs of the official, commercial, and business ladder. I can honestly say, hardly one gets away without some phase of the gospel being brought to his notice. "Our best patronage is from the High Court and commercial houses, with a sprinkling from the military. From the High Court we have several judges and many barristers. From commercial houses, we have heads of firms. We have several from the banks, and have had quite a few ministers. Recently I treated a clergyman on Friday, and after his treatment he remarked, 'Well, I suppose you are closed to-morrow, as you are still under the law, and not under grace.' I replied, 'My dear sir, it is only by grace that you can keep the law.' Last month I had the privilege of treating a prominent bishop of the Church of England. He asked me how we differed from others. This gave me an opportunity, which I used to the best of my ability, telling him our belief in regard to the Sabbath and other Bible truths. He listened without comment." The treatment-rooms at Bellingham, Wash., operated by C. D. Threlkeld, show a steady growth in business, a comparative report giving 1,209 treatments for 1906 and 3,184 for 1911. A good influence is extending to a considerable distance. An excellent work has been built up in Decatur, Ill., by Brother and Sister R. B. Craig, embracing treatment-rooms, health food store, and nurses' exchange. They report 4,150 treatments for 1911, with an average of thirteen treatments a day, thirty-two having been given in one day. A few items of experience are mentioned by Brother Craig, as follows:— "We have a nice class of patients. Nearly all the ministers of our city come frequently for treatment, and buy our foods. A leading minister recently called by phone on Friday to know if he could get a treatment before sundown. He sent his wife to one of our sanitariums not long ago, and she was pleased with the foods, treatment, etc. "It is wonderful how we get patients to discard tea, coffee, tobacco, and injurious foods. I must tell you of two or three very sick persons whom we treated last summer. One was the wife of the president of a large university.20She told her husband not to call a doctor, although she was critically ill. She said medicine so disturbed her stomach that she would be sick a long time from it. She had Mrs. Craig go to her house every day for three weeks, paying her $2.50 a visit. She got well, and is sending us other patients. "Two men were given up by one of the best doctors. One was dying, as all who saw him said. I was permitted to treat them, and by persevering effort both recovered. We work carefully with the physicians, and they are our good friends, many of them sending us patients. The Lord helps us in many ways, and we do not forget daily to seek his help and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We find many who are quite willing to correct their wrong dietetic habits. "During the week of prayer we held one of the evening meetings in the ladies' waiting-room. A wealthy patient insisted on having a treatment that evening. She could hear everything that was said in the meeting, and really enjoyed it. Much can be done to teach the third angel's message in these places. We keep a supply of tracts and papers to give away when needed." Brother Craig is modest in reporting all that is done by his work. We understand that it is a great strength to the local church and Sabbath-school, as well as a material benefit to the conference. The Sabbath-school offerings for the last quarter of the year amounted to seventy-five dollars. Other offerings and donations receive help from this source. R. L. Mautz, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sends the largest report for the year, 9,412 treatments having been given. The week-day average was twenty-eight, and the largest number for a single day was forty-eight. He says: "Our work is among the leading people, and our endeavor is to help the patients morally and physically, and we see evidences of beneficial results to our patients and to the church because of the influence of the treatment-rooms."