Page 21 - History of Arabian Mission 1926-1957

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Dr. Lakra, things went better; the hospital remained open during my tours; more
work was done; a larger number of patients were treated." But a year later he Ho r, as the oil industry developed, and great wealth came to this
was worried about the problem of going on tours - a wonderful opportunity, for little island which had hitherto been considered very poor, the situation re­
which the Miosion had long hoped and prayed - but difficult to arrange when it garding our Mission continued to change. Our medical work had been famous for
meant leaving a large and rapidly growing medical work in Bahrain, The Mission years over the whole Gulf region, but when oil royalties filled the government
was making every effort to achieve the two-doctor policy. coffers, they embarked upon an extensive medical program. Our hospital had to
compete with a tremendous government institution which had a large yearly bud­
get for a health program and outside dispensaries, as well as an anti-malarial
In 1933 Dr. Wells Thoms Joined the staff of Mason Memorial Hospital and
was hailed with joy by the people of Bahrain as the son of his father. He \ campaign. It was impossible for us to compete except in the quality of doctors
and the spirit of Christian service.
wrote: "When I landed in Bahrain on a bright spring morning and walked from
the mission house to the hospital to start my first day of medical missionary That this was valued, is shown graphically by Dr. Harrison in 1944•
service in Arabia, I experienced a feeling of exultation that I cannot describe. "Demands on the Mason Memorial Hospital grew beyond all our previous ideas. We
My fondest dreams were realized that day as I sat to treat patients in the office actually had one hundred and twenty-seven patients in this venerable institu­
that my father had used for consultations, and then later in the day operated iu tion all at once. We can care respectably for about seventy-five.
the splendid operating room in-the Marion Wells Thoms Memorial Hospital for
women." "For some perverse reason, in these strenuous days our reputation
abroad has been spreading like a green bay tree, and apparently now the favor­
Classes in midwifery-were begun at this time in connection with the ite hospital of Mecca is the Mason Memorial. As for Qatar, our neighbor to the
women's hospital, and the laboratory became a useful and efficient adjunct to south, no trip abroad is regarded as complete without having a genuine hernia
both hospitals. or an imaginary hemorrhoid or something of the sort mended up in the hospital
of the American Mission.
By 1935, the presence of two doctors made it possible to begin the sys­
tematic touring program which has been such a distinctive feature of Banrain "We hope at least that a crowded, dirty and happy hospital is a better
station. instrument for the spreading of the Gospel, than a clean, unpopular and empty
one."
The work in the station was developing, and new local situations called •
for a revaluation of the medical program. Dr. Storm wrote: "Certain facts . The Bahrain Petroleum Company was now to take over medical responsi­
have been borne in upon us this year with reference to the local situation in bility for all their own staff, leaving the Mission free to put its full weight
Bahrain. The government is planning to build an up-to-date hospital its : on its own work. This included the two hospitals in Bahrain, and a regular
income is assured by the oil production here. Outlying dispensaries are being program of touring by both men and women missionaries.
improved This changes the emphasis of our medical work in Bahrain and
lessens the need for an ever-increasing plant. Mason Memorial stands not only A large new wing was added to the Marion Wells Thoms Hospital, with ;
as a hospital but as a place where Christ is preached by word and deed." private wards, a new delivery room, and an air-conditioned room. Substantial
gifts of supplies and money for this were contributed by the Arabs themselves. i
By 19*10 a training class for hospital helpers had been started, to in­
clude in the future classes in X-ray technique and laboratory work. After World War II, the medical situation was analyzed as follows: !
"In Bahrain it is beginning to be more and more evident that we are facing a J
The women's hospital was treating women from Linga and Bushire in Iran; competitive medical set-up with the government. People are demanding better !
many from Kateef, Hasa, and Riadh; now and then women from Dubai and Oman; be­ service and more attention. We cannot longer carry on in Bahrain as if it
sides hundreds from the islands of Muharraq, Hudd, and Sitra, and of course were a pioneer station; we must give service comparable to that of the govern­
from Bahrain itself. Dr. Esther Bamy and Miss Cornelia Dalenberg had both ment or go out into fields where the pioneer type of service is acceptable.
made extensive tours, and Miss Dalenberg commented: "That the patients from |
long distances such as the interior of Arabia had received great benefit and "Competition is not the same with the women's work. The women prefer 1
blessing from the hospital in Bahrain was impressed upon me when I met some of the easy routine of the mission hospital rather than the more disciplined ! «
them recently in Hasa. As I look again into the record book and scan the long routine of the government hospital. In our women's hospital the women bring
list of operations that have been performed, and the variety of them, it is not their children who play around in the corridors all day and sleep under the I
difficult to realize why the women are grateful. I can picture them going back beds at night. There is no doubt that they are a nuisance and keep the place
to their homes, relieved of their suffering, and telling others about all they dirty and untidy, yet at the same time they have had an experience in a mission
have seen, heard, and experienced/' hospital and contact with Christians. The opportunity for evangelistic work
O The co-operation with the oil company continued, which had begun back in the hospitals among the patients is absolutely unrestricted."
in 1934 when the company began to finance short term nurses for our hospitals, In 1952 the venerable Mason Memorial celebrated its 50th anniversary.
in return for medical services rendered to the company by the Mission. They The ravages of moisture and heat of the Bahrain climate are all too visible,
also arranged air transport for Dr. Storm to return from America during the and’ drastic repair or indeed complete rebuilding must be undertaken in the
war. near future.

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