HEALTH AND MEDICINE — GENERAL 5OI 



has been started, and village dispensaries are being established in 

 the neighbourhood of Elisabethville. No fees are charged and 

 natives flock to the dispensaries and clinics. Short reports are 

 published annually in Brussels. 



The FOMULAC, like the CADULAC, which is concerned 

 with native agricultural improvement, originated from the 

 colonial enthusiasm of the University of Louvain. Its objects 

 and methods of bringing medical assistance direct to native villages 

 are similar to those of the Croix-Roiige. Two important centres 

 have been established at Kisantu and Katana, and a smaller 

 post at Yasa. Four doctors are maintained in Africa by the 

 organization and short reports are published annually in 

 Louvain. 



The mining and other companies, of which the principal are 

 the Union Miniere du Haut-Katanga^ the Societe des Mines d^Or de 

 Kilo-moto, the Forminiere and the Hidleries du Congo Beige, all have 

 efficient medical services with the object of maintaining health 

 among the employees. In all some fifty doctors are supported in 

 Africa by the companies. All concessions carry the condition that 

 hospitals and schools must be provided for the natives, but several 

 of the companies have done far more in these directions than they 

 were bound to do. Since the importance, even from an economic 

 point of view, of improving the standard of living and the general 

 hygiene among the families of their employees is fully realized, 

 the influence of these services has extended considerably beyond 

 the immediate vicinity of the industrial centre. For example the 

 Huileries du Congo Beige support maternity hospitals and training 

 schools for native midwives. The free treatment given at general 

 hospitals and dispensaries is not restricted to the company's own 

 employees and their families. Five boarding schools to take 1,500 

 children have been established, where everything, including food 

 and clothing, is provided free. A separate brick house and a 

 garden is given to each married employee, and by 1931 some 

 8,000 houses had been erected. There is a natives' savings bank 

 which pays 5 per cent on deposits, and a sum for the bride-price 

 is advanced to employees wishing to take wives. Extra accommoda- 

 tion is provided for families with children, and a blanket is given 

 for every child born. The upkeep of these social services costs the 



