Dr. Ida Scudder and The Three Knocks

As mentioned in the last post, Ida Scudder headed to Vellore, India where her parents were in need of her help.  As she sat one evening working on some letters, three different local men, at different times, came to her door.  All three men requested her assistance for a young wife who was having severe difficulties in childbirth.  One was a Brahmin, one was a Muslim, and the other was a high-caste Hindu.

Ida offered to get her father, because her medical training was not complete and she did not have the skills they needed.  However, because of caste and religious rules, they young men could not allow another man to enter their wife's chamber -- even if it was a doctor and she was dying.  One replied that it was better that his wife die in childbirth than risk her soul.

They went their ways, again all at different times.  Ida was very upset, and after a sleepless night she sent someone to inquire after the young women.  All three had died.

Ida Scudder, from NIH Changing the Face of Medicine

To say that this weighed heavily on Ida's heart would be an understatement.  She did not have the skills to help these young women.  What they needed there were women doctors and nurses who could treat the ladies.  Think of the help that one woman doctor could provide!  Think of the doors for ministry that could be opened!  Think of the opportunities to reach the lost that could be pursued! 

Ida's mind was made up: the Lord had made her -- her, personally -- aware of a terrible need.  She was in a position to fill that need, already working on a medical education and part of long line of missionaries.  She went back to the United States and enrolled in Cornell University Medical College's first class that was open to women.  She graduated in 1899.

Immediately upon graduation, Ida didn't head off to India right away but began to work to raise funds in the US for a hospital in Vellore.  When she did return to India, trouble was waiting.  Her father died after just a few months of her arrival, leaving his patients very wary of this young lady who claimed to be a doctor.  She pressed forward, with her mother as her assistant.

TO BE CONTINUED

Sources:

National Institute of Health, Changing the Face of Medicine: Dr. Ida Sophia Scudder