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Dr. Maxwell(1836-1921)
◆A Pioneer who imported modern medical services ─ ─ Dr. Maxwell
The Dr. Maxwell family (2nd to the left: Dr. Maxwell).
Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell (1836 ~ 1921) was born in Scotland. He was graduated with a degree in medicine from University of Edinburgh. He then did his residency in General Hospital, Birmingham. As his career started, Dr. Maxwell learned that the Presbyterian Church was looking for a missionary with medicine background to Taiwan. Although he had no idea about Taiwan, he decided to abandon the good pay and the possible bright future in Britain. He applied to the Church to serve in Taiwan.
Dr. Maxwell established the first western clinic and the chapel.
Dr. Maxwell was sent to Taiwan in 1865. After his investigation, he thought that Tainan would be the most suitable place as the starting site and the center for his mission in Taiwan. He ran the medical services and preached gospel at the same time. It was the first time shown on the record that western medicine was introduced. At that time, the people of Taiwan had limited knowledge about western medicine practice. Soon after he began the medical services, the rumors happened that Dr. Maxwell dug people’s eyes and hearts out to make medicine. It caused turmoil and people surrounded the West Street Clinic with curiosity. Dr. Maxwell had to forsake the clinic and went to Chihou (now in Chijing area of Kao-hsiung ) where the British Consulate located to continue his medical mission. The mission ran smoothly at Chihou, but he was always obsessed with minding mission propagation in Tainan.
The former Sinlau Hospital.
◆The establishment of Sinlau Hospital
In 1868, the British company "Elles & Co." violated the ban on private purchase of camphor and deliberately shipped overseas. Eventually, it was seized by Chinese government and turned into an international dispute, called Camphor Event. Supported by the army forces, British coerced the government of Qing dynasty to sign the legal agreement that it should stop people to slander Christianity and allow missionaries to have rights to reside in Taiwan and go on missions in addition to opening free market economy on camphor. Under protection by the law, he took his wife back to Tainan to reopen the medical clinic and the chapel. This medical clinic is the predecessor of Sinlau Hospital.
◆The father and sons all devoted to medical missionary
Dr. Maxwell in the operating room .
In 1871, Dr. Maxwell returned to Britain when his term of service in Taiwan was due. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Maxwell's two sons, inspired by their father, also joined the medical missionary work once they grow up. The eldest son, Dr. John Praston Maxwell ran his medical practice in mainland China in the years of 1871 through 1961. The second son Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell Jr. followed his father’s step to go to Taiwan from 1873 to 195l as the president of Sinlau Hospital. The three of the family all did medical mission career.
The building appearance of Sinlau Hospital today.
Dr. Maxwell ever said, "If I had other children, I would be also willing to consecrate to God.” He regarded the seven years in Taiwan as the best time of his life. On other hand, Dr. Maxwell has founded the essential basis of modern medical services in Taiwan since he introduced the concept of western medical knowledge.
References :
Taiwan Public Television http://bfs.pts.org.tw/~web03/foots/person_3.htm
Image Sources :
Chinese Christian Medical Missionhttp://www.ccmm.org.tw/magazine/magview/magazine1view.asp?key=889
Erlin Presbytarian Churchhttp://www.erlinchurch.org.tw/c13-1.htm
Sinlau Hospitalhttp://www.sinlau.org.tw/homestyle.php?styl=01&dat_id=19