First Annual Report of the Kincolith Mission Hospital
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[1] FIRST ANNUAL REPORT
[2] of the
[3] KINCOLITH MISSION HOSPITAL
[4] with
[5] LIST OF CONTRIBUTIONS
[6] 1871-1872
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[1] PREFACE
[2] In presenting this, the first Annual report, a few words
[3] respecting the foundation, and objects, of the Institution
[4] seem called for.
[5] Ever since my arrival among these tribes in 1867,
[6] I have felt the difficulty of affording any substantial med-
[7] ical aid in serious cases. But in 186, after they had
[8] been visited by two successive epidemics, (measles, and
[9] influenza,) the absolute necessity for some building where
[10] patients could be comfortably houses; unless I was pre-
[11] pared to see the best results of medical treatment con-
[12] tinually blighted, led me to consider the subject in a
[13] practical way. Two points required consideration.
[14] The nature of the building, and the money to build it.
[15] To be of any real advantage, the building ought to
[16] have two rooms—to be used as male, and female wards;
[17] one room for dispensing medicine to outdoor patients;
[18] a compounding room; a room for storing food; and an-
[19] other which could be used for options, &c.
[20] A simple plan was drawn out, which supplied these.
[21] But where was the money to build?—
[22] This mission station was founder under, and support-
[23] ed by the Church Missionary Society, and it might be
[24] supposed, that the cost of building an Hospital, which
[25] was intended as an aid, and a very material one too, to-
[26] wards the efforts for Christianizing these people, might
[27] well be defrayed by the Society. But the matter pre-
[28] sented itself to my mind in a different light. I looked
[29] Kincolith Mission Printing Press
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[1] upon the scheme as an experiment: moreover, the few
[2] friends of the Mission, to whom I mentioned the pro-
[3] ject, gave me no encouragement: their opinion seemed
[4] to be that the natives were so wedded to old prejudices
[5] that they would not put up with such restraints as would
[6] necessarily have to be enforced. Some few of those
[7] more advanced in civilization, might overcome their
[8] scruples: but for these there was really no absolute ne-
[9] cessity for such an institution; as they mostly have
[10] comfortable cottages of their own; while the class, for
[11] whose benifit it was to be built, would still continue as
[12] neglected as before. Such being the case, I could not
[13] conscientiously ask for a grant, from the Society, of
[14] money which had been subscribed, not for experiments,
[15] but for bona fide work.
[16] Had I been merely a philanthropic physician, found-
[17] ing an Hospital solely for the relief of bodily ailments;
[18] there is no doubt that I would have had a very strong
[19] claim on the Government of this province: since there
[20] is no building for the reception of sick Indians, within
[21] 600 miles of this station: nay more, there is not even a
[22] medical man, to whom they could apply, within 500
[23] miles. But connected as the Hospital is with a station
[24] of the Church Missionary Society; and under the care of
[25] one, whose chief object is not so much the healing of
[26] the body as the bringing the joyful new of that “balm of
[27] Gilead” which can heal the soul; an application for aid
[28] could hardly have been entertained by a Government,
[29] whose policy seems to be non-interference in religious
[30] teaching.
[31] Having roughly calculated the expense of the underta-
[32] king at $500 or £100, I first sent home an appeal to a
[33] few private friends, and then began to build—in hum-
[34] ble faith that God would bless the work. At the same
[35] time I determined not to incur any debt in regard to it,
[36] nor to calculate that any response would be made to
[37] my little appeal. And truly I can say with Nehemiah
[38] “the good hand of my God hath prospered me”.—Not
[39] by sending immediate or large assistance; but such an
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[1] amount as kept me from anxiety, and enabled me grad-
[2] ually to proceed. I can, I think, discern His goodness,
[3] and wisdom in this; as it is very doubtful whether I was
[4] sufficiently understood by these people to carry out my
[5] desires, had I been enabled to open the Hospital at that
[6] time.
[7] On the 22nd. of November 1871, the first half was
[8] opened, consisting of one ward, 18ft by 18ft; a dispens-
[9] ary, and a compounding room. The subjoined list will
[10] shew what amount has been already expended; and also
[11] what assistance I have received. The difference in the
[12] two amounts, spread over as it was, a space of some two
[13] years; I have been enabled to meet: so that any fresh
[14] assistance will be at once applied towards the comple-
[15] tion of the building. So far the work has been carried on
[16] by the native Christians and Catechumens, under my
[17] direction.
[18] Having said thus much respecting the foundation
[19] of the Hospital; I will add a few words as to its objects,
[20] which are three-fold. The gratuitous dispensing of med-
[21] icine in all applicants, irrespective of tribe, or moral
[22] standing. The reception into the wards, of all such
[23] cases as are deemed suitable for indoor patients; and the
[24] medical, and surgical treatment of these cases, as far as
[25] circumstances will permit. The instruction, in the truths
[26] of the Christian religion, of the patients.
[27] The results, since the opening of the Hospital, have
[28] demonstrated that the fears, of those who thought that
[29] it would not be appreciated, except by a few of the more
[30] enlightened, were groundless. Of the fourteen, who
[31] have been admitted indoor patients, only three belonged
[32] to either Metlakahtla or this Mission: while no less than
[33] seven came from tribes living about 33 miles away, and
[34] one belonged to a tribe 100 miles distant.
[35] The brief statement of the origin, and objects of
[36] Kincolith Mission Hospital is humbly presented to those
[37] who have so kindly assisted, and to any, who may take
[38] an interest in the welfare of these tribes.
[39] Kincolith. Sept. 11. 1872. Robt Tomlinson. clk.
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[1] REPORT
[2] There were fourteen indoor patients admitted during the
[3] year. Of these two died in hospital. Five were dischar-
[4] ged cured. Four left when great relieved, but before
[5] their cure was complete, being obliged to join their sev-
[6] eral tribes. One left before there was any visible im-
[7] provement: and Two remain in the Hospital at the pre-
[8] sent time.
[9] The Dispensary too, has been of inestimable value
[10] in accidents, and other cases where it was impossible
[11] for the patients to remain any length of time: while it
[12] also afford a ready means for dispensing medicine to
[13] those sick in the village.
[14] God has been pleased to bless, signally, the preaching
[15] of His Word. Two families have given up their heathen
[16] customs, and come to reside at this Mission; owing to
[17] the word heard, while they were inmates of the Hospi-
[18] tal. In another case; while the word spoken fell, un-
[19] heeded, by the patient; the Spirit of God seems to have
[20] brought it home, with power, to the heart of her daugh-
[21] ter who was acting as nurse. Hitherto her parents
[22] have withstood all her entreaties to be allowed to come
[23] to this Mission.—Let us humbly pray that God, who in
[24] his mercy, opened her ears to hear will also make her
[25] way plain.
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[1]CONTRIBUTIONS and EXPENDITURE
[2]RECEIPTS,
[3] 2 Boxes of medicine &c. from
[4] Dr. Chismore. act. assist. surg. U.S.A.
[5] 2 gals. Brandy and } from
[6] 2 gals. of Wine } Miss Crease.
[7 ] 1 Bottle of wine. from Mrs. Ash.
[8] 5 Flannel Shirts, from Sewing
[9] Society. per Mrs. Cridge.
[10] 1 Saucepan, and 6 tin Cups. from
[11] Mrs. R. Woods.
[12] Plates, Cups & saucers, Spoons.
[13] Knives & Forks. ½ doz. of each
[14] from R. Woods, Esq.
[15] A bundle of old linen. from
[16] Mrs. Reece.
[17] Mrs. T. Tomlinson and W.W.
[18] Tomlinson. Assist. Surg. 2nd. Ft. 19 20
[19] Mrs. R, Woods and Family. 20 00
[20] Mr. Murphy. for medicine. 10 00
[21] A Miner. for medicine. 5 00
[22] 8 Miners. a thankoffering. 8 00
[23] —————
[24] $ 62 20
[25] —————
[26] EXPENDITURE
[27] By Materials, for Frame. 20 00
[28] “ Erecting the Frame. 26 25
[29] “ Materials, for Roofing,
[30] Weather-boarding & Flooring, 44 25
[31] “ Work on Ditto. 41 00
[32] “ Windows, 10 50
[33] “ Fitting up inside. 6 00
[34] “ Nursing. 5 50
[35] —————
[36] $153 50
[37] —————
