CHAPTER IX. MEDICAL MISSIONS IN SIAM AND LAOS A BOUT the name of Dr. Daniel B. Bradley clusters the first history of medical missions in Siam. He came to Bangkok in 1835 as a representative of the American Board and gave the Siamese the benefit of his great skill and ability until his death in 1873. The Presbyterian Church sent its first physician, Rev. S. R. House, M.D., in 1847. The need for medical work in Siam is great Need because of the scarcity of government hospitals. Outside of Bangkok, Siam boasts of very little skilled medical aid save that administered by the missionary physicians. And yet the lack of sanitation, the ignorance regarding the first principles of health, and the prevalence of such devastating diseases as cholera, small pox, malignant malarial fever and dysentery, constitute an urgent call for advanced medical skill. The former king, Chulalongkorn, did much to encourage scientific medical practice through the help of missionaries and others. The new king, educated in England, has sought the aid of missionary physicians in his attempts to improve health conditions; while a number of former missionaries are employed by the govern Governmental ment in medical work. The hospital work of the missions has received large gifts from time to time from the king, princes and political leaders. It is all self-supporting save for the salaries of the medical missionaries. The lack of other than missionary medical Mission help has made it necessary for both the Policy Siam and Laos Mission to adopt the policy of providing each station with a physician and hospital. So fully has this policy been carried out that at present each occupied station has a hospital and all save one a resident physician. These forces have been of great help not only in caring for the health of missionary families and in relieving suffering among the Siamese, but in allaying prejudice against Christianity and in definitely winning many to Christ. I. MEDICAL WORK OF THE SIAM MISSION The Presbyterian Church has two missions within the limits of Siamese territory: one called the Siam Mission, the other the Laos Mission. The Location former has a hospital and dispensary at of Work each of the five stations-at Bangkok, Petchaburi, Pitsanuloke, Nakawn and Tap Tieng, besides a plant at Ratburi which was formerly a separate station but is now grouped with Petchaburi. In Bangkok the question of a water supply Bangkok during the six months dry season is a very serious one for there are practically no wells or springs, and, with no rain, the only natural supply must come from the river and the canals which intertwine through the city and serve for sewers as well as bath tubs and wash tubs. The masses drink this 6. Dr. and Mrs. Carl Shellman and Children,, Pitsanuloke Entrance to Hospital Compound, Pitsanuloke 7. 8. Patients at Hospital of Pitsanuloke |