MAORIS’ HEALTH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19375, 13 July 1937, Page 13

MAORIS’ HEALTH

LIVING CONDITIONS SPREAD OF SKIN DISEASE TREATMENT NOT WELCOMED "Something will have to be done about the prevalence of skin disease among Maoris, commented -Mr. W. Collins at a meeting of the Kaipara Hospital Board. “European children associate freely with Maoris and naturally infection spreads under the circumstances. I understand that pupils in some schools have to bathe regularly when they go home.” Mr. P. R. Walden stated that the district nurse was of the opinion that the question should be dealt with through the schools. She said that one had only to see how the Maoris were living to realise how bad the disease could become.

“When a doctor is going round the Maoris tidy up their homes,” said Mr. Walden, “but the nurse declared that a visit at night or unexpectedly revealed the true state of affairs. She thinks the only possible solution is through the schools. Many of the Maoris have not the money to equip their homes properly and if they do have money they cannot use it wisely-" The medical superintendent, Dr. J. A. Marshall, stated that the skin disease from which the Maoris suffered was curable. “Some of the cases we have had are terrible,” said Dr. Marshall, “yet we seem to have no control of the Maoris. We will have to get more control and be able to force them to take treatment.”

Mr. W. Montgomery: You can imagine what happens when Maori and white children sit and play together at school.

it was decided to ask the district nurse to make a report to the board in order that the health authorities might be acquainted with the position.