Report of the Medical Committee with regard to the propriety of sending out missionaries to Old Calabar direct from this country.

Date:
[1854]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Medical Committee with regard to the propriety of sending out missionaries to Old Calabar direct from this country. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    MISSIOJyARY RECORD OF TEE CI. MAY, 1854. VOL. IX- CONT Report of the Medical Committee with regard to the propriety of sending out Missionaries to Old Calabar direct from this Country 81 Jamaica—Congregation of Stirling.. 84 Demeuara—Encouragement and Help 86 ENTS. Continental ETangelization—1. Union of Evan- gelical Churches in France. 2. Belgian Mis- sionary Church 3. Missionary Stations in Saintonge, Western France 87 Congregational Reports, etc 93 Canada The Rev. R Monteath, late of Greenlaw, and Mr R. Dewar, preachers, who sailed from Glasgow in the Glasgow, as missionaries for Canada, have, by an injury which the ship sustained shortly after leaving, been detained till the vessel be repaired. Old Ca'a^ar.—The Rev. H. M. Waddell, Mrs Waddell, and Miss Mary Edgerley, sailed from Ply- mouth, in the Mail Steamer, which left on the 24th April. Caffrnria Letters from the Rev. Messrs Miven and Cumming, state that in December last, they risited Tyi>po, the Tambookie chief, in Tembuland, who wishes a mission to be set up among his people; that Sandilla and the Gaika chiefs decline receiving missionaries at present; and that Mr Niven intended to leave Africa in March. REPORT OF THE MEDICAL COMMITTEE WITH REGARD TO THE PRO- PRIETY OF SENDING OUT MISSIONARIES TO OLD CALABAR DIRECT FROM THIS COUNTRY. In compliance with the request of the Mission Board, expressed at a conference held with them and the Rev. Hope M. Waddell, on the 2-t(h of I'ebruary, we now beg 10 state our views regarding the effects of the climate of Old Calabar on the health of our missionaries and teachers ; on the question whether they may in future be sent direct from this country to labour there, without incurring peculiar hazard ; and, in general, as to arrangements for their com- fort and safety. From what we know of the general effects of a tropical climate on the European con- stitution, we cannot view it otherwise than as unsuitedfor permanent residence, and as injurious to the health of the great majority of those who are exposed to its influence during several consecutive years, even with all the precautions proper on the part of a resident, and more particularly so to the missionary or teacher, who has daily ar- duous duties to perform, and wearing- out anxieties to endure. And if this is true of tropical climates generally, it must be still more so of the Calabar coun- try ; for in addition to the high annual mean temperature during night as well as day, there are seasons of the year and local influences in it, especially trying fo the constitution of the white man. Of these, we may notice in particular, the sudden transition from the chilly dampness of the rain season to the stifling heat of the dry or smoke season, and also, the oppress ve parch- ing and debilitating effect of the latter, occasioned by the stagnant condition of the atmosphere, the great heat, the absence of sea breezes, and the vast exhalation from the marshes (or mud beds on the banks of the river, formed by the overflowings of the tide), and from the decay of rank vegetation. Then, too, when we consider Calabar in comparison with other fields of mission labour, Jamaica, for example, as it is likely to affect the mental constitution, besides rhe ordinary roughing and trials of a missionary's position, we must include, as an eieraent, the dispiriting tendency of its moral atmosphere, the perplexities and dis- couragements of labouring among a people so ignorant, rude, and superstitious. It would appear, however, that the climate of Calabar is not quite so insalubrious as used to be represented. The statements regard- ing it prior to the establishment of our mission, eight years ago, seem not to have been altogether borne out by subsequent experience. During all the three seasons of the year at Calabar, there are some circum- stances which mitigate the evils of the climate. The rain season, which begins in June and ends in October, is attended with considerable coolness, the heavens being then darkened with clouds, and consequent- ly, the sun's influence little felt. The rains,