Samuel Cochran

Cochran was born in Mendham Township, New Jersey to Israel Williams Cochran, a Presbyterian minister, and Annie Carter Cochran. Cochran attended Princeton University, a member of "probably the largest Princeton family on record" as of 1926. While an undergraduate at Princeton, he would become the first ever president of the university's Cap and Gown Club and also served as the president of Murray Hall, Princeton's YMCA. Cochran would graduate fourth in the class of 1893, before attending and graduating third in his class from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York (now the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons). Cochran later pursued an education in bacteriology and serology in 1914 at the Post Graduate Hospital (now New York University Grossman School of Medicine). In May 1899, Cochran would marry Margaret Watts - just three months before leaving for China. Margaret Cochran would not only join her husband on the missionary trip to China, but she later proved to be popular lecturing about their missionary work. == Missionary work ==

After he graduated from medical school in 1896, Cochran worked in the Sloane Maternity and NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals until 1899. Both of these hospitals were affiliated with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Journey In August 1899, Cochran and his brother, James, would set sail for Nanjing with their wives. As the Boxer Rebellion diminished, the Cochrans would soon return to Nanjing, where they finished preparing for their own mission station located at Huaiyuan. Huaiyuan Despite leaving in October 1902, Cochran wouldn't arrive in Huaiyuan until two months later. A jam of boats along the Grand Canal and a contaminated water supply led to Cochran's nephew developing dysentery and dying. Receiving aid from the Presbyterian Church South mission, the Cochrans spent 24 days receiving medical attention, delaying their journey. Cochran was named the Station Chairman for Huaiyuan and was preemptively named the Superintendent of Hope Hospital. Finally, Cochran treated many cases of visceral leishmaniasis (also known as kala-azar), determining a way to increase the success rate of incredibly dangerous splenectomies. Additionally, Cochran made headlines in 1915 for his debate on anesthetics with J. L. Maxwell. Cochran's advocacy for the use of ether, despite the greater difficulty it posed for the doctor, asserted the importance of patient safety in doctor considerations. Hope Hospital also functioned as a form of proselytization in the local communities. When patients are not being seen by Cochran. "his brother holds a religious service." The floods most severely affected the Anhui province where Huaiyuan is, with as many as 100,000 people having drowned. In Anhui, as much as 70% of the rice crop was destroyed. As such, much of famine relief was delegated to the Huaiyuan station. Cochran and other missionaries would distribute grains from railway terminals for three months, while over 1,000,000 people in Eastern China were enrolled to receive aid from missionaries. Regardless, many women and children from the mission station were sent to Shanghai for fear that the railroad would be attacked, removing their mobility. The Cochrans would spend 1908 in New Jersey, giving addresses on their missionary work in China. Mrs. Cochran was responsible for speaking to the Women's Foreign Missionary Society chapters at various local Presbyterian Churches. The Cochrans would depart the US on New Year's Eve 1908, not returning to the US until 1914. In March 1914, the Cochrans would return to New Jersey once again. As in 1908, both Cochran and Mrs. Cochran gave lectures on their missionary work at Missionary Society meetings of local churches. Additionally, Mrs. Cochran gave an address at the Young Women's Conference on China. The Cochrans's missionary organization, the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, was heavily represented. Robert E. Speer, secretary of the organization, was also giving a speech. The Cochrans would return to Huaiyuan in December 1914. In 1921, Cochran would return in an official capacity, working as a clinical pathologist and continuing his research. Additionally, Cochran acted as president of Cheeloo University for a year. == Life after missionary work ==

Continued academic medicine career Following his missionary work, Cochran transitioned to medical work and teaching in the United States. Even before joining Cheeloo University, Cochran took a short hiatus from China. Between 1919 and 1921, Cochran spent time teaching with Professor Hans Zinsser at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. Cochran was also charged with supervising an immunology lab at the college. == Legacy ==

Between the two hospitals at Huaiyuan and his role with the United Board for Christian Colleges in China, Cochran has touched the lives of many. In his book, Cochran notes that he would commonly receive letters from past patients who he helped. Moreover, Peking Union Medical College, one of the medical departments combined to form Cheeloo University School of Medicine while Cochran was there, was one of the best nursing schools in China at the time. == References ==