The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-04-29
NEW VISION OF LABRADOR
Was Brought BY DR.. Wilfred T. Gren'
fell to Barre Audience.

!
audience in the Congregational church
last evening, his lecture being fully il
| lustrated with views taken in that
frozen country. DIR. Grenfell came to
Barre under the auspices of the Barre
| Woman's club, and his lecture was
much enjoyed.
He preceded the showing of the pic
lures by sketch of his life and work.
Born and bred in England, he took his
degree at Oxford and, realizing that
there were many surgeons in London,
| he determined to 20 where no physi-,
clan had before been, where he might
| be Of some real use in the world. His
first work was among fishermen, which
he undertook in 1887, and this work
grew very rapidly. In 1892, he was in
vited to sail boat from England 10
Labrador and the 4th of August he
landed there. Up to November OF that
year he had treated 300 patients. There
was nothing to do with when he first
arrived and certain kinds of operations,
like making the blind to see and the
lame to walk, had to be delayed until
some facilities we're prepared for such
work The next year two doctors and
l
| DR.. Grenfell. small wooden hospital
was built and the work grew rapidly.
Two lady surgeons are among those
now working in that country. Many
OF these doctors and nurses receive no
recompense. Several Vermont helpers
| have been or are now with him.
| The war made extraordinary diff
culties and 5000 of the best boatmeh
went TO France from Labrador and
Newfoundland to serve in the waters
| about that country. DR.. Grenfell him
| self was with the Harvard unit for
time, doing what he could to help the
soldiers
Spring comes so late in the far north
ern country that it was not until July
last year that the doctor was able to
get out. and LOST one boat in the ice in
| the attempt. He plans to start back
in May Of this year. allowing until No
yember TO reach there. Dr. lGrentell is
his own skipper and runs his own boat.
The people of Labrador are very
simple in their customs. think quickly
and have a deep faith in God They
are not Esquimaux, as many think,
but people Of our own tongue, speaking
English and composed OF English, Irish
and other nationalities such as one
might find in many other places. They
are patient and self sacrificing and
willing to learn, expert in the things
they have mastered. About a dozen
Young men from Labrador are in this
country being educated, including two
AZ Hanover. and all these are giving a
good account Of themselves. One is a
strong missionary in China and one
| has taken several of the higher degrees
| in London colleges. Many, however,
OF the people cannot read nor write.
They make their living principally by
fishing and trapping, but also build
their own houses and boats, and are
being taught different trades.
At the present time there arc fve
hospitals in Labrador, 300 miles apart,
with nursing stations between, which
are alwavs filed with the sick and
suffering, who come from miles around
for help. There is much tuberculosis,
as the people do not know how to com
hat il or prevent IT, Tho greatest
amount of good is being done by teach
ing the WAYS of health to the children
in school, they, in turn. passing the
knowledge gained on TO their parents.
One physician spent whole year GO
ing about lecturing on this one subject,
the prevention and cure of tuberculosis.
There are many eye troubles, also, IN
Labrador.
DR.. Gremfcll paid tribute to the
nurses. saving that in many cases they
do more than the physicians for tka
aAfpua hp-
tween the hospitals are in charge OF
nurses, who have full control and do
wonders among the people
As TO trouble impending between
France and England or England and
the United States. Dr. Grenfell thinks
IL impossible, asserting that there Is
too mach fine feeling between the peo-
nle to permit Of such a thing
He also made strong plea for pro
hjbition. and stated that in his opinion
any man not willing to stand up for
prohibition had better stop waving the
9ag. II is his opinion that it is only
question Of time before England, too,
will stand on the same platform as the
United States on the liquor question,
The matter of obtaining milk IN
Labrador became a serious one rnth
Dr GrcnfeIl solved il by introducing
reindeer. which multiplied rapidly. He
has to be very versatile in his work,
serving a. magistrate in that country
aud doing everything for the people
from doctoring them for the measles
TO getting wives for men who seeip not
t. have the ability for themselves and
ask him to set for them.
Rv the colored views, which were
very beautiful. the speaker brought
forth many interesting and important
points in the life Of the people, the
country and the work he has accom-
plished There were views Of the froz-
en- ocean and harbors. through which !
boats can pass only with great diff (
cnltv and danger. and much OF the /
wear not At all; pictures Of the hos /
pi,als aud nursing stations. with some 1
of the physicians and nurses: views OF I
immense icebergs, in fantastic shapes I
and Of many tons weight; scenes Z
showing the fleets II ships in the har- l
hers. his own Stratheoua. in which he 4
has wcathercd many gales 10 reach the I
suffering and 20 give them aid; PIC I
tures Of the handsome and very iutelli- 1
GENT native dogs. showing the way in I
4 hich they DO their bit during the 4
rald northern winters. and many other 4
views which were very interesting and /
l.