Mission and Revolution in Central Asia - Svenska Missionskyrkan

weaving through the streets in order to mislead neighbours and acquaintances. Incredible
things could happen if someone got wind of the real facts – and who does not fear the evil
eye?” 35
Often the midwives had to do operations and interventions normally reserved for fully
qualified doctors and that under extremely primitive conditions, in the homes of the patients.
Over a period of time they were increasingly trusted by the population. Even well-to-do
women asked them for help at child-birth. Sometimes even totally private events among the
missionaries could deepen this confidence. One such example was when Mrs Nyström was
giving birth in Jarkend in 1912, and it was a forceps delivery. This became widely known
among the population. And the confidence among the population was remarkably raised
where child-birth was concerned. 36
The first hospital in Kashgar was built by Högberg in the year 1900. It was ruined in an
earth-quake in 1907. Immediately afterwards a new hospital was built, a larger and better one.
This time too, Högberg was the constructor. Betesta, which was the name of the hospital,
attracted general public interest. At the inauguration both the Russian and the British General
Consuls were present. The Chinese Mandarin as well as high Chinese officials also attended.
No less than nine languages were spoken at the event. The guests handed over their gifts. One
gift received special attention, the gift from the Russian Consul to Raquette, for having given
medical care to some Russian citizens. The gift was a golden case with jewels. 37 At this
solemn inauguration, a cantata, entitled “Betesta”, composed by Högberg, was also
performed. 38
In Jarkend, the first Mission hospital was built by the Persian doctor Mässrur. This took
place in 1896 when he and his wife Anna Nyström-Mässrur moved there and started working
there. In 1910 a new hospital could be inaugurated, built by Raquette. The new hospital had
light, airy rooms both for clinical work, operations and in-patients. 39 In Jarkend, the Mission
managed to get hold of a seraglio that was turned into sick-rooms in a native style. There the
patients could be treated and far-away patients could sleep. This connection to the area was
seen by the missionaries as a good complement to the traditional medical care given. 40
Unfortunately similar arrangements could not be made at the other hospitals.
In Jengi-Hessar medical work was taken up in 1912 by Lovisa Engvall. The hospital was
built after that by Arell and Palmberg, and the first Missionary doctor was Högberg. 41 Here
Högberg carried out many successful operations and the confidence in missionary medical
care grew among many people. His manifold home visits to the sick contributed to making the
Mission well known and respected. This town was normally a centre of learning with several
Muslim High Schools offering hard resistance to the Mission. 42
The Chinese town of Hancheng never had a hospital. However, medical care was given
there on a smaller scale. Accidents for example were taken care of by medically qualified
personnel. 43
Instruments used by the first missionaries at surgical interventions were of a very primitive
kind. When for instance Högberg was suddenly faced with the inevitable fact of having to
operate, he had to have instruments. Sometimes his own penknife had to do as a scalpel. On
other occasions he was helped by local black-smiths, who directed by him produced the
35
Lundahl-Walder, 1938, p. 100.
36
Fritzon, 1968/69, p. 8.
37
Palmaer, 1946, p. 72.
38
Lundahl, 1917, p. 395 ff.
39
Törnquist, 1928, p. 412.
40
Ibid., 466.
41
Ibid.,. 463.
42
Palmaer, 194,6 p. 76.
43
Törnquist, 1928, p. 464. Palmaer, 1942, p. 92.
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