OCR Text |
Show <Na Wutingfu, Shantung, CHINA. j j ^ October, 1933 * Dear Friends Afar:-- Just a "scrap of paper", made next door to our hospital, and entirely by hand. Why not patronize home industries? This paper is made just as it has been for hundreds of years, the basis being a kind of tough reed. It is peddled all over this part of China, and why should not a "sample" go far afield to you to carry greetings from this corner of troubled China? Yet we here are quite peaceful, though the reading public is much disturbed by encroachments of a neighbor nation in and about Manchuria. With a few robbers' heads displayed at the city gates, the usual local banditry has largely ceased. II J As to our usual hospital and dispensary work, what shall we say? A man of 73 has just walked home, after being treated for a bullet wound through the lung. He resisted three armed bandits who came to kidnap his grandson, and was shot, but saved the boy, and the commotion caused the assailants to run away. Several of our private rooms are usually occupied. A six year old boy has just gone from one of these. Tetanus all but claimed him, and during the half month he was with us wefseveral times feared he could not be saved. Huge doses of antitoxin, all we had, were used, and more hastily sent for. What joy the family showed when the firmly fixed jaws could open a trifle! A miracle before their eyes. fa r4Jl 51 ft JH* The dispensary service is not heavy, especially at this time of the year, for this agricultural community is too busy gathering beans, millet, sweet potatoes, cotton, corn, etc. to be ill. The hospital, though officially opened less than a year ago, keeps quite well filled, and especially are two large wards, one for men, and one for women and children, busy and iteresting. One or more of the five cots for children is always occupied. The special verandas for ultra-violet treatment are a great boon, and six patients are receiving treatment there at present. » Dr. and Mrs. Craddock are at home on furlough, and Miss Williamson, trained nurse of experience, came to the work the end of last year. Much against her wishes she has been in Tsinanfu for medical attention for six months, and we trust and expect she will soon be back again, when her organizing and nursing ability will be pf the greatest help. Miss Feng, a trained nurse, joined the staff a few mouths ago, and Dr. Hsu has lately become a member of the family. We have known both of these Chinese many years (in connection with the Tehchow work) and they are very satisfactory coworkers. Dr. Hsu has many attractive invitations to go elsewhere, and we may not be able to keep h#m long, however. This Hospital is the only equipped medical plant, besides the older one at Chu Chia, for a population of over three million. Chu Chia we first visited over thirty years ago, and it has an enviable reputation for caring for the ills of its densely populated community. That hospital, inthe absence of Dr. Craddock, is also in our charge, and one of us goes there about once a month for consultation and administrative purposes. A long-time friend, Dr. Li Te Jen, is in charge there,- a man of splendid consecration and fine ability. These two hospitals and dispensaries show about as many inpatients and dispensary calls as the Tehchow Hospital, but at a somewhat lower cost. It is seemingly A poorer community, and how we long for several added Good Samaritans who will help (at fifteen cents a day) to care for the Chinese wayfarer of the present day! The automobile, affectionately called "Cuvwag", is of the greatest use, and is also a time-saver. It keeps us in touch with the railway, and important centers, as also in making calls away from the hospital, including Chu Chia, and now and then serving as an ambiance. While a bit decrepit after seven J years of service on rough roads we try to keep it in good repair. Our new laboratory is a great aid, and Mr. Lu is becoming quite efficient in its use. Dr. Craddock is arranging to bring back an X-ray plant with him, and other improvements are planned, funds permitting. BnJ A room furnished in memory of Dr. Hemingway and Dr. Yu Shu Fen has just been opened. These two friends gave their lives for China, the former as a missionary physician for thirty years, and Dr. Yu an illustration of one being taken and other left; for, as we fought pneumonic plague together a dozen years ago, h.e was the one to contract this deadliest of all diseases. May this memorial room help to bring the Kingdom of God a bit nearer to all who shall occupy it. We have always been glad that years ago ± friends helped us to furnish two rooms at the Tehbhow Hospital, in memory of beloved ones whose work is thus perpetuated. A deputation from the Methodist Church of England (of which our work is a part) will soon visit this region, Our colleagues Miss Armitt, Mr. Dale, and newly arrived Mr. Moody are splendid coworkers. Miss Ling will soon arrive (after language study in Peping) to aid in the medical department, and we hope for the return of Mr. and Mrs. Cook during 1934. 4 China as a whole has discovered that she Is her own worst enemy, and that she must set her own house in order,-no other nation or interest can do it for her. Large and ancient bodies move slowly, but Sinim really moves, and in that there is hope. The Chinese editor of an important Shanghai daily paper resently published an article containing the following: "The larger the number of missionary physicians, the stronger the proof that they are rendering China a service which alone seems adequate to justify the existence' of the Christian religion." May these physicians be more worthy of the trust the home clientele places upon them. Our children are now all in the United States. Francis, the youngest, lately joined Arthur as a student in Oberlin College. William and Margaret have finished their medical collegiate work, and are interning in Chicago Hospitals. William's wife, Sally, is a fine addition to the family. We miss them all, but with so much to do in China, and so many "open doors" it would be selfish indeed not to attempt to do at least our bit, for "Behold! God Hiself is with us for our Captain". 'Is there depession in China?' some may ask. Always, and hence it is time to look up, and not down. Blessings on your Christmas, on all of 1934,- indeed on every day of your life. T Fraternally, Emma Boose Tucker Matt. ,,.:' * * * 2 5 : 4 0 . ••••• Francis F. Tucker |