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NGARRABUL AND OTHER ABORIGINAL TRIBES. 



Part I. — Medical and Surgical Practice. 



By John MacPherson, M.A., B.Sc, M.B., Ch.M. 



While engaged in professional work in New England, I made 

 the close acquaintance of the aboriginals inhabiting that district 

 and those passing through it in the course of their wanderings. 

 From them I learned some details of their methods in medicine 

 and surgery, such as were practised while the tribes still preserved 

 their integrity. The district I speak of was occupied by many 

 tribes, known by the names of the languages spoken by their 

 members. Thus, the Yukumhul language was spoken at Inverell 

 and Boggy Camp. JSfgarrahul was used at Bolivia, Glen Innes, 

 Stonehenge, Wellingrove, Emmaville, and the neighbouring 

 localities. Ea-nee-ivin obtained at Oban and its vicinity. The 

 Bundel or Bundela tongue prevailed at Yugilbar (upon the Upper 

 Clarence) and Gordon Brook (a tributary of the same stream). 

 In the following account, unless otherwise specified, the facts 

 relate to the customs of the Ngarrabul Blacks. 



The education of students in medicine took place at the great 

 Bora Initiation ceremonies (Bull-bah), the old doctors and warriors 

 imparting the information. Many youths from different tribes 

 received their instruction together. The old people withdrew, 

 and the doctors (in number from three to six) took the lads apart 

 to teach them the mysteries of the healing art. From time to 

 time their proficiency was tested; they were sent to observe and 

 diagnose cases of illness — being reprimanded for their mistakes — 

 until the required degree of competency was gained. When at 

 length the young man (for such he had now become) was deemed 

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