The large attendance at the three Medical Department meetings held during the recent General Conference session was heartening. The meeting hall was filled to capacity each time, and we regretted that not all could be seated. We were happy to have present a number of the A. M. M. C. graduates, also those from other schools who have been leaders in our medical work through many years. Among these were Drs. D. H. Kress, Lauretta Kress, Julia A. White, G. K. Abbott, Cora Richards-Abbott, E. H. Risley, W. A. Ruble, H. W. Vollmer, Nellie Stevens, Winegar Simpson, Ida Nelson, Clara Radabaugh, and Elder J. A. Burden. A large group of physicians from the College of Medical Evangelists and a goodly number of graduate nurses from the various schools of nursing were also in attendance.
We were grateful for the presence of representatives from overseas medical work, several of whom gave inspiring accounts of the providences of God in extending the "gospel in practice" to many needy souls in their respective fields. Among the overseas medical workers were Drs. Donald Abbott, South Africa ;
C. C. Schneider, South America; George Rue, Korea ; Samuel Phang, China ; Elmer Olson, Japan; C. E. Randolph, China ; and J. E. Miracle, Manchukuo. Graduate nurses from foreign fields were Gertrude Greene, Grace Dale, Ethel Porter, Edith Johnson, and Matilda Follett of the China Division, and Rena Curtis of Africa.
Prior to the General Conference session, a precouncil was conducted primarily for the business managers of the sanitariums in North America and the representatives of institutions overseas. Among the latter were Elder and Mrs. R. S. Watts, Seoul Sanitarium, Korea ; Ner Soto G., River Plate Sanitarium, Argentina; 0. A. Blake, Manila Sanitarium, Philippines ; C. L. Torrey, representing sanitariums and clinics in the Far Eastern Division. Practically all the denominational sanitariums in North America were represented at this council, and a few persons were present from independently operated institutions.
The purpose of the meetings was to study objectives and plans for conducting medical work, ways and means of elevating standards and of unifying policies and practices, and to exchange helpful ideas and experiences that make for economy and greater efficiency.
The medical meetings during the council proper were primarily devoted to the study of objectives for our medical missionary endeavors and means of obtaining our objectives, and to inspiring reports of actual accomplishments.
One item discussed at the second medical meeting, which we believe merits special study, concerns the use of films, charts, posters, etc., as visual aids in promoting health education in the field. Elder Toral Seat, who has devoted considerable attention to the subject, led in the discussion. Elder Seat, with collaborators from the White Memorial Hospital, has produced an excellent temperance movie of 1,000 feet, "Alcohol as the Physician Sees It." This film was shown to a number of interested groups during the Conference session, and was also shown one evening in the large arena. Strip films, Government and life-insurancecompany charts, posters, and two-inch slides in color are potent aids in securing interest in, and an understanding of, the principles of health and disease prevention. This study has given new impetus to the development of visual aids in health education, and to the acquiring of a library of films and slides.
A number of resolutions resulting from this council were adopted by the delegation in full session. Two of particular interest are:
A. Sabbath Observance in Medical Institutions
"We recommend, 1. That as far as is at all possible, no business transactions be effected during the sacred hours of the Sabbath, such as,
"a. Settling bills with patients.
"b. Having on display and selling newspapers, magazines, drugs, et cetera.
"2. That except by special arrangement our sanitarium cafeterias be closed to all but regular employees of the institution who ordinarily obtain their meals in the cafeteria, and their guests.
"3. That our patients' menus and the work in the diet kitchen be simplified to reduce as far as possible the work in the culinary department.
"4. That study be given by the Medical Department to the matter of preparing a leaflet for distribution among our sanitarium workers setting forth the difference between necessary Sabbath work in our institutions as compared with work in outside worldly institutions, as well as setting forth the danger of our becoming careless and indifferent in Sabbath observance through the performance of unnecessary duties."
B. The second resolution recommends:
That study be given to plans whereby medical care can be provided in our sanitariums for worthy Seventh-day Adventists who, because of financial conditions, find themselves unable to meet the cost of institutional care.
The meetings closed with the conviction, shared by all, that the time has fully arrived for a more widespread and intensive activity in all medical missionary lines both in the church and among those for whom we minister. Also that the time has arrived when every Seventh-day Adventist should be consistent in accepting and adhering to a sound, balanced health program in all matters of diet, rest and recreation, exercise, abstinence from the use of stimulating beverages and the indiscriminate use of drugs, and in all other matters of personal hygienic living.
The Lord in infinite love and wisdom has given the church the blessing of light and counsel. The information and exhortation are plainly given. The responsibility becomes a personal matter which cannot be escaped. Are we ready to enter into the experience?
"When the third angel's message is received in its fullness, health reform will be given its place in the councils of the conference, in the work of the church, in the home, at the table, and in all the household arrangements. Then the right arm will serve and protect the body."—"Testimonies," Vol. p. 327.
H. M. W.
