In 1904 King (1858-1938) was a very sick man - his chronic tuberculosis required a six month leave of absence as medical superintendent of Seacliff Lunatic Asylum. He sought a peculiar recuperation – a steamer trip with his wife Bella to Japan, which, at that point, was locked in a massive war with Russia. He returned energized with a singular evangelical zeal – the trip had crystalized his wildly diverse thoughts into a coherent campaign.

A masterful storyteller, King was able to weave a compelling narrative, inspired by his Japanese experience, which centred on the health of mother and baby, but spoke to the broader issue of the rise and fall of civilizations.