NJR - BLURB IN ITS RAW FORMThis book deals with one of the most important and fascinating episodes in the history of modern medicine in the Levant in general and in the Land of Israel in particular - the medical activities of the London Mission and its effect upon the progressive development of Palestine and the welfare of its inhabitants. At the beginning of the 19th century, the Holy Land was still immersed in medieval darkness. Large numbers of Europeans, headed by British missionaries, began to visit it and completely changed the situation there. The main factor in this change should be attributed to the medical enterprise of the London Mission and the series of hospitals that it established._x000D__x000D_The joint research efforts of two specialists in two different academic disciplines have presented the reader with a compelling picture of this pioneering medical enterprise in Palestine during modern times. One of the two authors is a historian specializing in the history of the Land of Israel and its links to 19th century Europe in general, and to British activities in particular. The other is an expert in medical practice and history of medicine of the Middle East in general and Palestine in particular. This research made use of historical documents found in archives, private as well as public, in England, Germany, and Israel, most of which have been only partly available to the public up to now.

_x000D__x000D_In this book, the historical, social and personal aspects of the hospitals as well as their outstanding medical aspects are examined. British medical men with fascinating biographies are accurately described. These men fought to improve the health of the inhabitants of the Holy Land under the most difficult conditions of climate, infectious diseases, and stubborn-headed patients, and performed their sacred task in the advancement of medical care in Palestine. This pioneering initiative led to competition among the Great Powers in the Holy Land, so that by the end of the 19th century there were already scores of medical institutions that were representative of the modern age. The importance of these medical institutions of the London Mission are finally examined in comparison with the hospitals established by France, Russia, Germany, Austria, England and Scotland, as well as by the Jewish community settled in the Holy Land._x000D_._x000D_.