MAORI HYGIENE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 270, 14 October 1929, Page 6

MAORI HYGIENE

A STEADY IMPROVEMENT. REMOVAL OF PREJUDICE. WORK OF DIRECTOR. “The general conditions of hygien* among the Maoris show a slow but steady improvement, although there are exceptions in certain , districts. This comment was made to a “Standard” representative on Saturday by Dr. E. P. Ellison, Director of Maori Hygiene for the Department of Health, during the course of a short visit to Palmerston North, when he discussed certain matters of interest concerning the Native population of the Dominion. . Dr. Ellison has been associated with the committee of inquiry which has been investigating the conditions existing where Maoris are engaged in market gardens in Auckland and its suburban districts, and thri inquiries, which have just about concluded, have been extended to embrace the Otaki, Manakau, Ohau, Foxton, Himatangi, Wanganui and other areas. He informed the “Standard” representative that all the' evidence was of a confidential nature and that , a # report would be submitted to the Minister of Native Affairs this week, when the full scope of the investigation* would be revealed. Aspects of the inquiry had been living conditions, the accommodation provided, and the wages of the employees. _ ■ •Regarding the incidence of typhoid fever in certain districts, the Maori was in a far better positipn to-day than formerly, when the disease was rampant, said Dr. Ellison. The adoption of preventive measures, innoculacion carried out by district nurses, the care and advice imparted by health inspectors, the issuing of pamphlets, active co-operation between the several divisions of the Health Department and the assistance of the Education Department had all been factors in bringing about an improvement to the extent that typhoid cases were now few. _ _ ’■. ' The hygienic conditions of the Maoris were slowly but steadily improving. Everything possible was being done and Dr. Ellison stated that he was carrying on propaganda in Native colleges and schools with the object of bringing about the full realisation of the importance of preventive measures against disease. Discussing the prejudice of the Maori against hospital treatment, Dr. Ellison stated that the average Native was hyper-sensitive, and a goo<r;deal depended on the sympathetic attitude of the nurses towards inpatients. The educated and more enlightened Maori usually sought medical advice and hospital treatment, but there was a large section of the Native population which was uneducated and still Maori in every sense of the word, only being very slightly influenced by contact with European progress. Naturally, they were the first to • broadcast any ban impressions which they might receive from their treatment in certain. hospitals. In the opinion of Dr. Edition, the amount of sympathy extended to Maori patients was an important factor, and it had been reported that in some institutions that was not as great as might be expected. Another objection by the Maori to hospital treatment was that in many cases he was taken there against his will, arid for that reason did not feel disposed to pay the fees incurred, considering that "as he had been forced, to enter the institution he was under no obligation. Opposition by the Native was easily created and An instance could be given in the case of typhoid for which the mortality rate was particularly high. So many died that the Maoris of the district concerned began to query the efficacy of medical treatment and that led to the ooncealrileiit of cases of this disease, the Natives resorting to their own methods of fitrbal medicine with reported success in many instances. Hospital authorities became annoyed because Maoris; refused to pay their fees, and the Natives persisted in their attitude. The remedy lay in hygienic propaganda and the extending of as much sympathy at possible to Maori patients.