James Henderson (surgeon)

==Biography==

==Biography==

James Henderson was born to the Henderson family in a small cottage on a moor in northern Scotland. He was the youngest of three children, including an older brother and sister, two and four years respectively. When he was just three years old, his father died after serious complications from a rupture in a [[blood vessel]] in a lung.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Two years after his father's death, the family migrated to his mother's father's house where Henderson was brought up in a neighborhood filled with superstition, ominous feelings, and witchcraft.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. At thirteen years old, Henderson became an orphan and thrown into a world of uncertainty, independence, and sorrow as his mother and grandfather, his two biggest idols, died.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015.

James Henderson was born to the Henderson family in a small cottage on a moor in northern Scotland. He was the youngest of three children, including an older brother and sister, two and four years respectively. When he was just three years old, his father died after serious complications from a rupture in a [[blood vessel]] in a lung.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. HathiTrust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Two years after his father's death, the family migrated to his mother's father's house where Henderson was brought up in a neighborhood filled with superstition, ominous feelings, and witchcraft.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. HathiTrust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. At thirteen years old, Henderson became an orphan and thrown into a world of uncertainty, independence, and sorrow as his mother and grandfather, his two biggest idols, died.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015.

===Careers===

===Careers===

==Religion==

==Religion==

James Henderson was a very religious man whose strong Christian faith was sometimes the only reason he was able to define his existence in the poverty-stricken society. Daily, his pious, widowed mother made it a deal to make sure all the kids were well-versed in Scripture, Scotch paraphrases, and Shorter Catechism.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Around the time of his mother's death, he dedicated his life to service of Christ. One of his premature desires was to become the minister of the Free Church, which he later abandoned.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015.

James Henderson was a very religious man whose strong Christian faith was sometimes the only reason he was able to define his existence in the poverty-stricken society. Daily, his pious, widowed mother made it a deal to make sure all the kids were well-versed in Scripture, Scotch paraphrases, and Shorter Catechism.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. HathiTrust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Around the time of his mother's death, he dedicated his life to service of Christ. One of his premature desires was to become the minister of the Free Church, which he later abandoned.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015.

==Education==

==Education==

At an early age, Henderson was literate, but neither wrote nor knew basic math. His all-time wish was to study in a university, which was tough since he was of low status and older. He believed in the whole “Where there is a will, there is a way” ideology; his prayers were soon answered.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015. Between 1855 and 1858, he was a fellow of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]].Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Finally, he obtained a diploma as a physician from the [[University of St Andrews]] in 1859.Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. One of the directors of the [[London Missionary Society]] perfectly summed up his astonishment of Henderson's journey through life with respect to education:

At an early age, Henderson was literate, but neither wrote nor knew basic math. His all-time wish was to study in a university, which was tough since he was of low status and older. He believed in the whole “Where there is a will, there is a way” ideology; his prayers were soon answered.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015. Between 1855 and 1858, he was a fellow of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]].Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. HathiTrust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Finally, he obtained a diploma as a physician from the [[University of St Andrews]] in 1859.Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. One of the directors of the [[London Missionary Society]] perfectly summed up his astonishment of Henderson's journey through life with respect to education:

“I could hardly believe that he had never seen the inside of a school, even of the humblest character, and that, twenty years before, he had been a bare-footed lad, herding sheep on the muir of Rhynie; that, some thirteen years ago, he could not have written his own name, and nevertheless he had forced his way to the [[University of Edinburgh]], had taken prizes in classes of two hundred medical students, received the diploma of the College of Surgeons, and won for himself the respect and friendship of men of the highest Christian character and professional distinction.”Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

“I could hardly believe that he had never seen the inside of a school, even of the humblest character, and that, twenty years before, he had been a bare-footed lad, herding sheep on the muir of Rhynie; that, some thirteen years ago, he could not have written his own name, and nevertheless he had forced his way to the [[University of Edinburgh]], had taken prizes in classes of two hundred medical students, received the diploma of the College of Surgeons, and won for himself the respect and friendship of men of the highest Christian character and professional distinction.”Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

===Early efforts===

===Early efforts===

Henderson yearned to be a popular physician, specifically, a surgeon beyond his native land. In August 1858, there was no opening abroad and he settled for private practice in the native country in [[Rhynie, Aberdeenshire]] for seven months.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Much to his dismay, he was unsatisfied even though his business was very successful. In 1859, under the supervision of Reverend G.D. Cullen, he applied to the Directors of London Missionary Society. A fellow director expressed his gratitude for Dr. James Henderson to join their team:

Henderson yearned to be a popular physician, specifically, a surgeon beyond his native land. In August 1858, there was no opening abroad and he settled for private practice in the native country in [[Rhynie, Aberdeenshire]] for seven months.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. HathiTrust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. Much to his dismay, he was unsatisfied even though his business was very successful. In 1859, under the supervision of Reverend G.D. Cullen, he applied to the Directors of London Missionary Society. A fellow director expressed his gratitude for Dr. James Henderson to join their team:

“His self-possessed manner, gentlemanly bearing, and frank answers to all the questions put to him in turn by the several members of the committee, excited special interest in him as a man; while his evident simple-hearted devotedness to the great work of Christian missions, his anxiety to consecrate his talents and attainments to the service of Christ among the Chinese as a missionary physician, and his manifest intelligence and proved energy of character, secured the suffrages of the whole board, and he was unanimously accepted.”

“His self-possessed manner, gentlemanly bearing, and frank answers to all the questions put to him in turn by the several members of the committee, excited special interest in him as a man; while his evident simple-hearted devotedness to the great work of Christian missions, his anxiety to consecrate his talents and attainments to the service of Christ among the Chinese as a missionary physician, and his manifest intelligence and proved energy of character, secured the suffrages of the whole board, and he was unanimously accepted.”

After joining this society, Henderson was assigned by Dr. [[Elijah Coleman Bridgman]] to take over the Chinese Hospital in Shanghai, formerly run by Mr. [[William Lockhart (surgeon)]] and Dr. [[Benjamin Hobson]].Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

After joining this society, Henderson was assigned by Dr. [[Elijah Coleman Bridgman]] to take over the Chinese Hospital in Shanghai, formerly run by Mr. [[William Lockhart (surgeon)]] and Dr. [[Benjamin Hobson]].Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

On 22 October 1859 Henderson boarded Heroes of Alma at Gravesend with six other missionaries.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015. After arriving in Shanghai, Henderson took over the Renji hospital, founded fifteen years earlier. In the hospital, the daily routine consisted of religious services in the morning, examining cases, giving out prescriptions, and culminated with performing surgeries. The unique thing about Henderson's practice was the method in which patients were examined- ten women, then ten men, followed by same pattern until finished.Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. Perhaps, his deep gratitude for women came from his mother, which is why he considered the female gender to be superior to the male gender. Using the help of Chin Foo,Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. a local loyal apothecary and house surgeon, Henderson was able to treat around twenty thousand patients within the first few months. One of the most common cases were opium smokers who wanted to quit. Another frequent miracle performed by the foreign doctor was giving sight to the blind. A hospital associate described the success and variety of his work: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them."Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

On 22 October 1859 Henderson boarded Heroes of Alma at Gravesend with six other missionaries.Vaughan, Canon. "HINTON AND HENDERSON; or, the story of two doctors, English and scotch."Good Words Jan. 1878: 784-90. Rpt. in British Periodicals. Vol. 19. ProQuest News and Magazines. Web. 17 Oct. 11 2015. After arriving in Shanghai, Henderson took over the Renji hospital, founded fifteen years earlier. In the hospital, the daily routine consisted of religious services in the morning, examining cases, giving out prescriptions, and culminated with performing surgeries. The unique thing about Henderson's practice was the method in which patients were examined- ten women, then ten men, followed by same pattern until finished.Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. Perhaps, his deep gratitude for women came from his mother, which is why he considered the female gender to be superior to the male gender. Using the help of Chin Foo,Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. a local loyal apothecary and house surgeon, Henderson was able to treat around twenty thousand patients within the first few months. One of the most common cases were opium smokers who wanted to quit. Another frequent miracle performed by the foreign doctor was giving sight to the blind. A hospital associate described the success and variety of his work: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the poor have the gospel preached unto them."Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.

Perhaps, the one thing that made Henderson widely noticed was his usage of chloroform,John Churchill and Sons. "Cases of Fatal Poisoning From Eating the Roe of the Torpedo." The Medical Times and Gazette 2 (1867): n. pag. PDF file. which he used as anesthesia to deal with sleeping sickness. Having gained the trust of the locals, the Chinese patients were under the spell of Henderson and his magic. Since he integrated himself into the local community, he felt the importance for natives to obtain translated reports of incidents that occurred in the hospital.Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. He participated in bi-monthly conferences, where he read his original papers about medical missions. One time at a [[Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland]] meeting, he got and read his research notes on the physical causes that modify climate. Besides leaving a piece of him in his writings, his dedication towards helping nearby missions and helping future doctors was a critical characteristic about him. Fortunately, on top of his busy schedule, Henderson managed to examine dead bodiesJohn Churchill and Sons. "Cases of Fatal Poisoning From Eating the Roe of the Torpedo." The Medical Times and Gazette 2 (1867): n. pag. PDF file. and thus, provide crucial information for researchers in the future. On 10 January 1862 Henderson abruptly left to England, where he married a woman he met when he departed for Shanghai and soon, had a baby girl.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. Hathi Trust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. He greatly desired to go back, which he did in May. James Henderson dedicated his life to medical missionary work for three years until his unfortunate death by unknown reasons.

Perhaps, the one thing that made Henderson widely noticed was his usage of chloroform,John Churchill and Sons. "Cases of Fatal Poisoning From Eating the Roe of the Torpedo." The Medical Times and Gazette 2 (1867): n. pag. PDF file. which he used as anesthesia to deal with sleeping sickness. Having gained the trust of the locals, the Chinese patients were under the spell of Henderson and his magic. Since he integrated himself into the local community, he felt the importance for natives to obtain translated reports of incidents that occurred in the hospital.Henderson, James. Life of James Henderson, M.D. Comp. D. M. Hodge. New York: Robert Carter And Brothers, 1873. Library of Princeton University. Web. 16 Oct. 2015. He participated in bi-monthly conferences, where he read his original papers about medical missions. One time at a [[Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland]] meeting, he got and read his research notes on the physical causes that modify climate. Besides leaving a piece of him in his writings, his dedication towards helping nearby missions and helping future doctors was a critical characteristic about him. Fortunately, on top of his busy schedule, Henderson managed to examine dead bodiesJohn Churchill and Sons. "Cases of Fatal Poisoning From Eating the Roe of the Torpedo." The Medical Times and Gazette 2 (1867): n. pag. PDF file. and thus, provide crucial information for researchers in the future. On 10 January 1862 Henderson abruptly left to England, where he married a woman he met when he departed for Shanghai and soon, had a baby girl.Henderson, James. Memorials of James Henderson, M.D., medical missionary to China. 3rd ed. London: J. Nisbet, 1868. HathiTrust Digital Library. Web. 11 Oct. 2015. He greatly desired to go back, which he did in May. James Henderson dedicated his life to medical missionary work for three years until his unfortunate death by unknown reasons.

==Legacy==

==Legacy==