London Missionary Society and the Progress of Health Care in Colonial Travancore

Abstract

The Christian Missionaries always stood for all especially for the emancipation of the poor, lower castes, women etc.  Even though they had the aim to propagate their religion, the missionaries of various societies like L.M.S.( London Missionary Society), C.M.S.(Church Missionary Society), Salvation Army, Lutherans etc. did tremendous work in the field of education and Health care. There is no doubt that the missionaries were the pioneers to start better education, better health care to all the people without any kind of discrimination.  The medical missions entered the Indian subcontinent during the late 18^th century. The earliest among them was the London Missionary Society which started work in 18^th century in the Travancore State. To help the ignorant men and women out of the vortex of sickness and ailment the London Missionary Society started its medical service. In the field of medical care, LMS did a considerable amount of work in Kerala after 1838. The hospitals of Christian Missionaries brought all castes together, thus providing a new concept about man in a traditional society like that of Kerala. The Protestant women Missionaries contributed a lot for the medical and health care of the people in the Mission stations. They provided medical help to all patients whether rich or poor, high or low caste.