The Quiver 11/1899
MOTHERHOOD.
After the Picture by Miss Ida Lovering.]
LADY DOCTORSIN HEATHEN LANDS
By the Author of "The Child Wives and Widows of India," Etc.
A garrison of snow-cappedmountains;a valley smiling inOriental luxuriance;the gorgeous,romantic lovelinessdescribed in "LallaRookh"—such arethe general impressionsof the landof Kashmir. Dirt, disease, and degradationsummed up its prevailing characteristicsin the eyes of an Englishman, who,in October, 1872, toiled wearily over thePir Panjal, 11,900 feet above the level ofthe sea.
This was Dr. Elmslie's last journey. Hehardly realised, as he dragged his wearylimbs over rough but familiar paths, thatone object for which he had struggled foryears was practically accomplished. Hesank from exhaustion on the way, and theday after his death Government grantedpermission for missionaries to spend thewinter in the Valley of Kashmir. Stillfarther was he from knowing of anotherresult of his labours. He had appealed toEnglishwomen to bring the gifts of healingto suffering and secluded inmates ofzenanas. Dr. Elmslie had found a directway to the hearts of prejudiced heathenmen. The sick came to him for healing,and learnt the meaning of his self-denyinglife.
(Photo: Elliott and Fry.)
THE LATE DR. FANNY BUTLER.
(At the time she went to India.)
"Skin for skin, yea, all that a manhath will he give for his life," are ancientwords of wisdom; but this rule has exceptions.To Hindu women, at least, caste isdearer than life. It would be as easy torestore the down to a bruised butterfly'swing as to give back self-respect, and withit all that makes life worth living, to azenana lady who has been exposed to thegaze or touch of a man other than a nearrelation. Custom of the country debars arespectable woman from receiving ministryto body, soul, or mind, unless it comes fromone of her own sex. Dr. Elmslie's appealresulted in Miss Fanny Butler's offer ofservice to the Indian Female NormalSchool and Instruction Society. She wasthe first enrolled student of the LondonSchool of Medicine, which had just been[98]transferred from Edinburgh, and passedsecond out of one hundred and twenty-threecandidates, one hundred and nineteenof whom were men, in the PreliminaryArts Examination. She went to Indiain October, 1880, the first fully qualifiedmedical missionary to women.
Seventeen years after Dr. Elmslie'sdeath Dr. Fanny Butler obtained anotherconcession for Kashmir, the permission formissionaries to live within the city ofSrinagar.