A surgeon in a mission hospital may be called on to do many things that he or she never learned in a residency program. Cleve hoped that he would never have to do a craniotomy! He not only did them but he taught them (See Below)
One of the most common operations done in most mission hospitals is the Caesarean Section. Most are complicated because few of the mothers receive prenatal care and come to the hospital only after severe complications develop. General medical officers must be taught how to manage these complications which include rupture of the uterus and severe bleeding.
Because of lack of access to good obstetrical care, the "Bush" surgeon will see huge vesico-vaginal fistulas (hole between bladder and vagina). Repairs can be one of the most difficult of procedures but also one of the most rewarding! To change a social outcast because of the constant leakage of urine into a "dry" and smiling mother is so worthwhile. Cleve and Nell had to travel to a "fistula hospital" in Ethiopia to learn this technique.
A "bush" surgeon may go to a remote hospital where there is no anesthetist and he must teach one. The ladies shown above had had no previous experience but became quite competent with training.
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Top: (Left):Cleve at work in the O.R. (Right) Teaching Neurosurgery Bottom: (Left): Delivering Babies by C-Section. (Right): Teaching Nurses Anesthesia.
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