Introduction of Western Medicine in Travancore

ABSTRACT

Among all the regions of Kerala, Travancore played a pioneering role in the realm of modern medicine, public health, and sanitation. In 1811, during the reign of Rani Gauri Lekshmi Bayi (1810-1814), the western system of medical treatment was introduced in the State. In the beginning; only the members of the royal family and the Government officers received the benefits of this method of treatment. With the help of the Durbar physician Dr. Proven, the Maharani of Travancore established a small section for vaccination in 1813, thus laying the foundation for preventive Western medicine in the State. In the missionary enterprise, the medical mission home times stagnation in its service. The pioneers of the movements were preachers. Ringeltaube was the first MLS missionary who came to Travancore and started his work in 1806. A staff of seventeen trained assistants, who in many cases should be called fellow medical missionaries, all passed through LMS School and six native nurses gave a new face to the missionary work. A school of nine students taking a five years course based on the lines of the Edinburgh school, and being examined annually by outside examiners was treated. The missionaries sought out the poor and depressed in India, not only because they were most easily converted but simply because they were poor and depressed and in need of help. The Government also gave full support in the form of grant-in-aid to allopathic practitioners and provided free medical checkups to all villagers. Financial assistance was provided to all the hospitals, dispensaries, and Vaidyasalas.

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