Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-05-25
SIGHT RESTORED
TO THRONCS BY
MISSIONARIES

NEW 1Ohh, May Af.--N lSIOH WdS
restored last year to the blind eyes of
10000 men, women and children in
n-Christian lands by medical mis-
sionaries of American Protestant
of the Centenary of the Methodist
Episcopal church.
This single fact gives an idea of
the great scope of the work by Amer
lean physi lans CO nected with mis-
sions in heather lands, The medical
missionary is soon over run with pa
tients. His fame spreads. Friends or
relatives often carry a sick person
many days to reach him. He is called
upon to perform difficult operations
under primitive conditions.
In parts Of Africa for instance, mis-
sionary surgeons have to treat a sur
prising number of natives who have
been scalped. The scalping is done not
in American redskin style but by wild
animals in the jungle. Children are
frequent sufferers. Where the entire
scalp has been torn away, a satisfac-
tory scar tissue forms after the wound
has been dressed properly and the
necessary sanitary precautions en-
forced.
DR.. John G. Vaughn, formerly med
ical missionary in China and now at
thu head of all the medical mission
aries of the Methodist Episcopal
church, paints striking picture OF
the generation and awe caused by the
white doctor in the east.
A Weeks Journey.
1.-TWO relatives of blind man IN
China often will turn over bamboo
couch. place a cushion on the bottom
and carry the sufferer for week TO
reach the medical missionary" he
said I'VE allow the relative to stand
at the door of the operating room
This is to conquer their superstitlons.
Then comes the wonder OF the an
aesthetic, the sleeping medicine. we
hear them talking excitedly among
themselves over the fact that we are
cutting the patient and he does not
feel pain. They are at his bedside wheh
he RECEIVERS consciousness.
IF the patient is of the lower class
as is usually the case he is much al
fected by the days he spends IN inc
hospital after his operation. 10 he III
n clean bed. in clean room ana nave |
fine women bring him things 10 eat
and drink-all this to a man who mas
been used to being cuffed around IS
revelation.
..In some hospitals we say prayer
befor. the operation but not IL We
think the relatives of the patient VIII
take it for magic, or the sumlhohine
of spirits. While in the ward alter 'ne
oneration the patient also has chahce
r. listen to Christian teachings ana
we try to impress upon his recep'ive
mind the benefits of western clVlh-
zation, especially cleanliness.
Returns With Story.
.sHo returns to his little village oaoN
in the country to tell wonoerlui S'o
~ He is our emissary. | am sorry 10
say we have not the facllltles " '"No
advantage of such opportunities Ai
l,,oroalist sent back with patlenI
x,bo has heen cured could accomplish
much in weaving the people from Vhelr
aanrodinp superstitions and pre1udlc-
o hut we have not the men 10 senu
out So most of the opportunities are
lost
in all backward countries cataract
&c nrevalent. due to the neglect OIL
slight irritations of the eye Inc lens
becomes opaque. By a slight opera
tion with cocaine-another Wonuer W
.ho natives-we remove the lens. Theh
owe glasses with the proper arunclal
lens will restore the sight TO near
normal. OF course we can cope VIII
only small proportion of the cases
among the teeming millions OF the
East.
..rrra cboma is an even worse plague
than cataract The eyelids III TINS
disease become granulated ana oe-
formed and scratch the eyeballs IN
til the sight is lost. 1t is dlhlcult 10
cure but we do much to alleviate IT,
But perhaps the greatest prop-
lem is tuberculosis. Not that It's cure
in incipient stages is so difficult but
when we tell native we are not go
ing to give him any medicine and ne
needs only to keep the fresh air as
much as possible, he smiles lncrea-
ulousIy. The white physician is evil
IDENTIFY crazy No medicine? ana
stay in the open air? Evidently the
whit man is not interested in the
case?
Evil Spirits in Wind.
"You see, the Chinese believe the
evil spirits that cause disease dwell
in the winds Therefore, when ILL.,
they draw their beds away from the
windows and back into the darkest
corners of the room and then like as
not put the curtains around it.
terI-x All