Paintings from the Cushing/Whitney Library of Yale University. Issue 12 (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Low, Gordon
• Is Part Of: ANZ journal of surgery. Volume 83:Issue 12(2013)
• Page Start: 903
• Page End: 907
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1111/ans.12402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1445-1433

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>In the early years of the introduction of Christianity into China, one American medical missionary distinguished himself by his kindness and generosity towards the Chinese people, and also by his surgical prowess. Peter Parker (1804–1888) was a graduate from the Yale University Medical School and was also an ordained minister. He came to the south China city of Canton (now called Guangzhou) in 1834, built a hospital, treated the patients without charge and also groomed medical apprentices to help him in his work. He so impressed a Chinese artist, Lam Qua (1801–1860) that Lam offered to paint in oil, without charge, some of the unusual patients of Parker. Parker stayed in China until 1857. Altogether, there are about 109 paintings. More than 80 of them are in the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Historical Library of the Yale University Medical School, New Haven, and 23 of them are in Guy's Hospital, London. A description of some of the paintings, together with accounts of Parker and Lam are discussed.</p> </abstract>