| Summary: |
The principal work of the Board was to assess the health of missionary personnel and prospective missionary personnel (and their wives or 'brides to be') as to their fitness to serve overseas. This was not usually done directly by members of the board but medical professionals (including relevant specialists in tropical medicine, etc) around Britain. Equally important was the Board's duty to ensure that medical missionaries had the appropriate qualifications for the roles they were to undertake in the mission field.
The earliest minutes of the Medical Advisory Board rarely mention the specific health problems of individuals and frequently anonymise them by case numbers. However, the minutes increasingly identify individuals and mention their health problems to the extent that by the latter half of the 1910s they not only identify individuals but their medical problems and even discuss treatment (occasionally in detail).
Other matters discussed by the Board include: training; medical supplies and equipment; building of or alterations to medical institutions; advice on preventive health measures (including vaccination); noting of death or resignation of medical missionaries; promotion of medical missions (especially to medical professionals, including students); inter-action with other medical missionary organisations.
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| Extent: |
3 volumes
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| Admin history: |
The Medical Advisory Board was formed in 1904 and comprised members from the medical profession; most of whom were also members of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. In March 1913; as a result of the rearrangement in the administration of the WMMS and a restructuring of its committees; the now renamed Medical Board had its duties defined by the General Committee as: oversight of the newly created Medical Department; to give advice and make recommendations to the General Committee on all matters pertaining to professional medical matters (including medical buildings and equipment); management of medical work; professional suitability of all medical mission personnel and to supervise health of all missionaries (whether candidates; serving in the field or on furlough); the Board was to be notified of the death or retirement of all medical personnel. |
The Medical Advisory Board was formed in 1904 and comprised members from the medical profession; most of whom were also members of the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society. In March 1913; as a result of the rearrangement in the administration of the WMMS and a restructuring of its committees; the now renamed Medical Board had its duties defined by the General Committee as: oversight of the newly created Medical Department; to give advice and make recommendations to the General Committee on all matters pertaining to professional medical matters ... View more |
| Access status: |
Restrictions Apply
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| Access conditions: |
See individual entries
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| Copyright: |
Copyright held by Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes |
| User restrictions: |
For permission to publish, please contact Archives & Special Collections, SOAS Library in the first instance |
| Language: |
English
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| Format: |
Archive
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