Norman Cook

Doctor Norman Cook (born in 1903 and died on May 11, 1933) was a British Physician, medical missionary, and evangelist in Northern Nigeria from 1930 to 1933 ⁽¹⁾. As a member of the Hausa Band from Cambridge University, Cook was influential in the development of the hospitals and out-patient dispensaries in Zaria and Wusasa and was the leader in the building of the dispensary in Maska. His transfer of the leper colony in Zaria to a more hygienic environment outside the city center later resulted the establishment of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria, Nigeria in 1991. Doctor Cook’s missionary service was brief due to his unexpected death caused by septicaemia in the operating theater. Dr. Cook will be remembered for his enthusiastic outlook on medicine and Christianity, and the spread of such beliefs to those living in Northern Nigeria.

Early Life

Born in Uganda in 1903 to Dr. J.H. and Mrs. Cook, Doctor Norman Cook was born into a family of British missionaries. Specifically, his father, Dr. J.H. Cook, was a medical missionary in Uganda and his mother, Mrs. Cook, and uncle, Sir Albert Cook, were both missionaries in Uganda ⁽²⁾. During this time, Dr. Norman Cook was able to observe his parents and other mission leaders work, while also interacting with the local children in Uganda. However, when Dr. Norman Cook was seven years old, the Cook family completed the mission work in Uganda and returned to England. For secondary school, Dr. Norman Cook attended the Highgate school in London, England ⁽³⁾.

Education

Regarding upper-level education, Dr. Norman Cook attended London University for his undergraduate schooling. He decided to pursue medical school and training at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital ⁽³⁾. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Cook became an active member of Cambridge University’s Hausa Band. This group was formed in 1924 in conjunction with the Church Missionary Society to aid those living in the Hausa region of Northern Nigeria ⁽¹⁾.

Mission

Hospital Involvement

Dr. Norman Cook’s work was focused in Wusasa and Maska, Northern Nigeria. Wusasa was a one square mile piece of land that served as the location of the Hausa band mission site. This community was directly outside of the predominantly Muslim city Zaria. By establishing a mission site—Wusasa—directly outside of Zaria, a safe haven was created for those wishing to convert to Christianity. The religious goal of both Dr. Cook and the mission group was to expose and convert the Muslim population of Zaria to Christianity. Medically, Dr. Cook and the mission group strove to build hospitals and proper dispensaries to provide, care, and treat the Northern Nigerian communities ⁽¹⁾.

Although the mission site was already initiated in Wusasa at the time of Dr. Norman Cook’s arrival, he contributed to the continuation of the efforts from the former medical missionaries. Specifically, he assisted in treating patients within the newly developed hospital and built a sisters quarters ⁽³⁾. Additionally, Dr. Norman Cook assisted in transferring the leper colony from inside Zaria to closer to Wusasa ⁽⁴⁾.

Unlike the hospital established in Wusasa, Dr. Norman Cook led and established the Church Missionary Society dispensary also known as the Boys’ Brigade Hospital at Maska in 1932 through the support from the funds of the Boys’ Brigade, international aid, and the Nigerian government ⁽⁵⁾. The dispensary was in Maska, Northern Nigeria, which was a walled town with a predominantly Muslim population composed of approximately 2000 individuals, 600 of whom being children. Prior to Dr. Norman Cook’s death in 1933 and despite the poor facilities, the dispensary provided 78 out-patient and 665 in-person treatments ⁽⁴⁾. Following his death, the dispensary continued to improve; specifically, in 1934, approximately 40 patients received treatment daily ⁽⁶⁾.

Community Involvement

Dr. Norman Cook did not limit his involvement as a medical missionary solely to medical treatment and care. For example, during his time at Highgate school, he was the captain of the cricket team. He applied this strength throughout his mission trip by playing for Nigeria in intercontinental cricket. By being a member of this team, he was, in turn, able to build close connections with his teammates and learn more about Hausa culture. Additionally, he applied his athletic aptitude by teaching the boys learning in the Church Missionary Society School how to play football ⁽³⁾.

Additionally, Dr. Norman Cook frequently engaged in educational measures. Most notably, he conducted lantern readings ⁽⁷⁾ and outreach measures for the local youth (ages 16-30) ⁽⁸⁾. He also supported the uplifting of the female populations. Specifically, he initiated the training of women within the mission society in midwifery and assistance in procedures, such as ulcer treatment ⁽⁴⁾.

Dr. Norman Cook engaged with the community culturally as well. Dr. Cook made it a priority to become fluent in Hausa ⁽³⁾. Additionally, he was frequently engaged in collaborations and meaningful conversations with local government officials and chiefs. His initiation of such relationships resulted in the governmental approval and financial support of the mission work ⁽⁵⁾. So much so, that in response to Dr. Cook’s death, the Lieutenant-Governor of the Northern provinces stated, “I am well aware of the high personal esteem in which Dr. Cook was held by Africans and Europeans alike, and also of the ability and enthusiasm which so marked his medical work” ⁽³⁾.

Evangelism

Dr. Norman Cook’s primary focus throughout his mission work was to teach and spread the values of Christianity. He utilized the hospitals and dispensaries to express Christian morals, traditions, and beliefs ⁽⁵⁾. At the dispensary in Maska, there were daily services and weekly classes offered for both patients and staff. Dr. Norman Cook shared his excitement when one of the patients who was receiving treatments in the hospital for over seven months decided to convert to Christianity. Dr. Cook stated that he had, “the joy of seeing our first definite Muslim convert, stand up in the church, and declare before the congregation his desire to follow Christ” ⁽⁴⁾. Within the first year, there were over six adult baptisms among the African staff ⁽⁴⁾. Additionally, during Lent, Dr. Cook held services near the hospital and had conversations with patients where he taught them of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. After having such conversations, the women’s ward was especially impacted and caused many of the women to wish to return to their villages and share such information ⁽⁹⁾.

Death

At thirty years old, in 1933, Dr. Norman Cook passed away. His death was caused by septicaemia contracted in the operating theater. He was buried in the Saint Bartholomew Church in Northern Nigeria ⁽¹⁰⁾. This church was located near the mission site and hospital in Wusasa. He was buried in line with the main west door of the church ⁽³⁾.

Legacy

Despite the brevity of his mission work, his establishments functioned long past his death. Numerous dedicatory measures were implemented to ensure the remembrance of Dr. Norman Cook. By 1937, the Norman Cook Memorial Dispensary was established in Bakori. During the opening event, the bishop spoke about Dr. Cook’s life and his impact upon the community. According to the Mission Hospital Records, the entire room was crowded with missionaries and Hausas, so much so that individuals were listening from outside the door. Both the Chief of Maska and the Chief of Bakori attended the opening ⁽¹¹⁾. Additionally, Dr. Cook’s impact on Northern Nigerian communities was shared with medical missionaries traveling to India in the late 1930s to serve as an inspiration for them throughout their journey ⁽¹²⁾. From a medical standpoint, his treatment and creation of dispensaries and hospitals set the standard for higher quality care in Northern Nigeria. Additionally, his transfer of the leper colony in Zaria to a more hygienic environment outside the city center later resulted the establishment of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre in Zaria, Nigeria in 1991 ⁽¹³⁾. Remembering the emphasis Dr. Norman Cook placed upon education, a school was bult in Chafe in memory of him ⁽⁵⁾.

References

1) The Church Missionary Outlook, Volume , Issue 10. 1941. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_OX_Outlook_1940-1942_10 [Accessed October 24, 2021].

2) The Church Missionary Outlook, Volume 60, Issue 712. 1933. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_OX_Outlook_1933_07 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

3)  The Mission Hospital, Volume 37, Issue 428. 1933. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_Mission_1933_09 [Accessed October 24, 2021].

4)  The Mission Hospital, Volume 37, Issue 427. 1933. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_Mission_1933_08 [Accessed October 24, 2021].

5)  The Church Missionary Outlook, Volume , Issue 10. 1941. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_OX_Outlook_1940-1942_10 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

6)  Annual Report of the Church Missionary Society, Volume , Issue . 1933. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_Annual_Report_1933-1934_01 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

7)  The Church Missionary Outlook, Volume 58, Issue 691. 1931. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_OX_Outlook_1931_10 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

8)  The CMS Home Gazette, Volume 19, Issue . 1931. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_Home_Gazette_1931_10 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

9)  The Mission Hospital, Volume 36, Issue 418. 1932. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_Mission_1932_11 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

10)  “Behold! First Church in Northern Nigeria •Established in 1929.” CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH, AUBERVILLIERS FRANCE, https://www.cacfrance.org/behold-first-church-in-northern-nigeria-bullestablished-in-1929.html.

11)  The Mission Hospital, Volume 41, Issue 475. 1937. London: Church Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_Mission_1937_08 [Accessed December 05, 2021].

12)  India's Women and China's Daughters, Volume 58, Issue 620. 1938. London: Church of England Zenana Missionary Society. Available through: Adam Matthew, Marlborough, Church Missionary Society Periodicals, http://www.churchmissionarysociety.amdigital.co.uk.proxy.library.upenn.edu/Documents/Details/CMS_CRL_IW_1938_09 [Accessed October 24, 2021].

13)  “NTBLTC - National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre.” NTBLTC - National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre | Infolep, https://www.leprosy-information.org/organization/ntbltc-national-tuberculosis-and-leprosy-training-centre.

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