NATIVE HOSPITALS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2538, 23 February 1877, Page 3

NATIVE HOSPITALS.

Although we differ entirely from Sir .George Grey's policy we can never underrate the services he has rendered to New Zealand in the past, nor forget that many of the best institutions of the colony may : be traced to the activity and energy 'of : his far-seeing mind. We are led into these remarks by the perusal of some late Cape papers in which a high tribute is paid to Sir George Grey, as having been the originator of an idea for the establishment of a native hospital in King Williamstown; which has been successfully worked out. It seems that in 1865 the province of British Kaffraria was entirely destitute of hospital accommodation for' either civilians or natives, and there were no civil practitioners within eighty miles of King Williamstown.. Independently of this slate of things, there was a large native population, amongst whom a large number of native doctors were practising and over whom they exercised a very extensive influence; for they taught the people that sickness was the result of witchcraft, and that they alone were able to cure the sick person. The people implicitly believed in their power, and whenever any person was afflicted with sickness the witch doctor was oenfc for to smell out the individual Who bewitched the patient, this procedure generally ending in the torture by fire or stinging ants, and the death of the person accused, in addition to his being stripped of all his cattle and property. From amongst this body of doctors false prophets^ frequently arose, inciting the people towar. Every Kaffir war had its doctor, who professed to be able to bewitch the enemy and to impart strength to the Kaffirs to overcome the Europeans. Owing to the instrumentality of Sir George Grey these evils were cured. A hospital was established at which , native youths were taught the science of medicine. The evil was to be attacked in its own stronghold. The pretended alleviators of human suffering add the presumptuous, averters of impending evils were to be opposed by men o£their own race, and speaking their own language, but instructed at the feet of acience^and armed with the skill and the appliances of modern surgery. Taken from the people, and trained under qualified European practitioners, cultured by ■the adoption of civilised habits, taught by practical experience the beneficent aims of European medicine,, they would fetnrn to their people the qualified agents of a science which has much to do with the happiness and morality of mankind. The result has been most successful; as about sixty thousand people have been attended since the hospital was opened, a favorable feeling towards the medical profession created, and some of the prejudices and obstacles removed, although a good deal remains to be done.—N. Z. Times.