INDIAN MEDICAL MISSION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 81, 17 March 1933, Page 8

INDIAN MEDICAL MISSION

EXTRACT FROM A DIARY. An extract from the diary of Dr. A. Bramwell Cook, a son of Commandant Cook, of Hastings which has been received by Mr and Mrs Aitken, gives an interesting survey of a typical week in the work of a medical missionary in India. Dr. Cook opens with an account of a day spent as a guest of the Maharajah of Baroda on the occasion of a visit by the Viceroy, and from then for the remainder of the week he gives details of the work he and his associates are engaged upon. Dr. Cook writes:— “This day commenced a week of classical experiences unlikely to be excelled for some time. Dr. S. and I received invitations from the Maharajah of Baroda to meet the Viceroy of India and Lady Willingdon. Baroda is a wealthy and highly developed State, only 30 miles from Anand. The city is very beautiful with colleges, universities, hospitals, public gardens, Royal Palaces, and museums built and set out in lavish style. We were entertained as State Guests and our hearts swelled with pride on the grand way in which we were treated. We had beautiful rooms placed at our convenience. and at every turn a car and a servant at our beck and call. We didn’t even have to pay a tip—this came out of the Royal Treasury. Dr. S. went to the Baby Show at which Lady Willingdon was present, while I went to the Boy Scouts’ Rally inspected by the Viceroy. Five hundred Scouts from different parts of the State were under canvas in the Public Gardens. They looked very smart, in khaki uniform, green turbans and brown scarves and they drilled very well indeed. Their demonstration only lasted about 20 minutes, but they made the most of it, for the whole 500 occupied the stage at once, some signalling, others drilling, others doing first aid, another section doing firedrill, etc. The scene was very exciting. “Then 1 went to the garden party in the grounds of the palace. It was a most picturesque scene. Everywhere gorgeous Eastern dresses and Oriental colour, State elephants caparisoned in gold, bauds playing. Lord and Lady Willingdon moved about very freely. 1 felt greatly honoured when Lady Willingdon, recognising my uniform, came forward and ebook hands with me—she had just received, she said, a message from the General on his arrival in India.” The diary then outlines from day to day various incidents which disclose the wonderful work being done for the Indians in the treatment of the sick, in the course of which long hours and long journeys are involved, while nil sorts of barriers in the form of native customs increase the difficulties of those trying to render service. However. obstacles are being overcome in a remarkable way and good work is being done.