SUGGESTIONS TOWARDS A BETTER PROVISION 

 FOR THE MEDICAL NEEDS OF THE NATIVES. 



By Charles Templexman Loram^ M.A., LL.B., Ph.D. 



(Read, July 9, 1918.) 



This paper is ancillary to that oif Dr. McCord on the Zuki 

 witch doctor and medicine man. 'Being convinced of the need 

 for better medical provision for natives, and realising the desira- 

 bility of obtaining further information and of creating^ a general 

 interest in the matter, I induced Dr. McCord to allow me to 

 circulate copies of his paper, together with a questionnaire of 

 my own, among magistrates and missionaries in Natal, Zululand, 

 and other parts of South Africa. 



This paper proposes to set out the results of my investiga- 

 tion, and to ofifer a few constructive suggestions. This is by 

 no means the first time that this question of providing for the 

 medical needs of the natives has been discussed, but there is 

 some danger lest it be regarded as a " lost cause," and since 

 importunity seems indefensible in matters of native reiform, I 

 make no apology for taking up the torch. 



That some progress has been made in the matter is evidenced 

 by the fact that a few weeks ago a body of medical men. who 

 some few years ago laughed this question out of discussion, 

 listened to this paper with keen interest, discussed it seriously, 

 and went so far as to pass a formal motion agreeing that the 

 provision for the medical needs of the natives of Natal is totally 

 inadequate, condemning the licensing of the ignorant and dan- 

 gerous witch doctors and herbalists, and urging the Government 

 to investigate the whole matter. No decision was come to as 

 regards the desirability of training natives as doctors, but to have 

 induced such admissions and recommendations as these from the 

 abode olf medical profession is primary evidence that the matter 

 df supplying the wants of the natives is now one of " practical 

 politics." 



I tabulate the replies to my questionnaire under the follow- 

 ing heads, and then proceed to quote typical replies : — 



Question i. 



Is the provision for the medical needs of the natives in your 

 district adequate? 



Quite adequate. Fairly adequate. Inadequate. Wanting. 

 Magistrates 6 2 15 4 



Missionaries 4 4 22 6 



There is only the District Surgeon to serve some 17,000 odd natives 

 scattered over an area of 1,100 square miles, though there are ri native 

 herbalists licensed under the code. — R.M., Bergville. 



c 



