The following represents a synopsis of a lengthy report upon health administration and associated problems in Northern Australia. Statements made positively in this synopsis without discussion or qualification can be supported by reference to the more detailed report. The situation confronting the Commonwealth in tropical Australia may be outlined as follows: Three factors which have […]
Health in Northern Australia
PRELIMINARY The problem of the health of natives in Northern Australia as elsewhere in the Commonwealth, is one with that of the general community and a programme for native medical care must be closely integrated into the health organisation for the whole population. Unless this is done two separate and complete medical and health services […]
Tropical Disease and the Australian Native [EN 8/5, 6]
by C.E. Cook, M.D., Ch.M., D.P.H., D.T.M. & H A paper delivered at the Commonwealth Conference of the BMA, Brisbane, May 1950 The region with which this study is concerned includes roughly that portion of Australia lying north of the 19th parallel of South Latitude and embracing the Peninsula and Carpentaria Divisions of Queensland, the […]
Health – Northern Australia [EN 8/8]
Notes prepared by Dr Cook as a briefing paper for a conference in August 1950 following his general survey of June-July, 1950 It being no longer possible for Australia confidently to rely upon the successful exclusion of dangerous infections and disease vectors from overseas solely by practicable measures of Quarantine, attention must be directed towards […]
Health problems in Northern Australia [EN 8/4, 8/9, 8/13]
Report on a survey of health and social problems created by the maladjustment of the native population in North Queensland, Northern Territory and northern Western Australia*. *The survey occurred in June-July 1950 and Cook prepared this report in mid-1951 INTRODUCTORY: Although the functions and responsibilities of Health and Native Administration in Australia, except in Commonwealth […]
The Native Problem Why Is It Unsolved?
Lieut.-Col. C.E.A. Cook, C.B.E. M.D., etc. of Commonwealth Department of Public Health, Canberra; Chief Medical Officer and Chief Protector of Aborigines, Northern Territory, 1927 – 1939. Published in Australian Quarterly December 1950 “The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools.” Herbert Spencer. From time to […]
Inspection of Missions – Instructions to Medical Officers [8/11]
Report upon the inspection of Missions is to be made in accordance with the attached pro forma. For the information of Medical Officers the following amplifying instructions are being issued to indicate the scope of inquiry in respect of the various headings and sub-headings. A. SITE: Suitability. Report should indicate whether the site is considered […]
Letter to the Minister on Health Problems in Northern Australia [EN 8/14]
Director-General You will recall your direction that I prepare for the Minister, before his visit to the Territory, a submission on the health problems created by the Northern Territory native and make recommendations in respect of these. This submission has now been prepared and copy is attached for the Minister’s information. CE Cook (Note inserted […]
Health Administration and the Northern Territory Native [EN 4/51, 8/16]
Director-General 19th June, 1951 INTRODUCTORY The health problem created by the Northern Territory native can best be understood against the background of his mode of life prior to white settlement and his reaction to contact with European civilisation. In his traditional mode of life, the native moved as one of a small family group over […]
Health and Native Administration – 1952-3
INTRODUCTION: Several factors contribute to the complexity of the problem of providing an adequate health and medical service in Northern Australia: The environment favours the endemicity of the major tropical disease. A large component of the population is of native race living at a very low standard of sanitation under conditions likely to contribute to […]
The 1953 Missions Administration Conference [EN 8/45]
An extract from the Conference transcript (p11-18) The Agenda was amended to provide for the presentation of PASTOR F.W. ALBRECHT’S paper, UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA. “Economic Rehabilitation of Aborigines” prior to that of Dr Cook’s. DR. C.E. COOK, SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER, COMMONWEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, CANBERRA, on addressing the Conference on the subject “Educating […]
The Native Health Problem Today – 1955 [EN 8/54]
The health problem created by the native population in the Northern Territory today differs in some respects from that confronted when the Northern Territory Medical Service was first established. These differences are due principally shifts in emphasis upon particular aspects of the problem, shifts which derive in part from the successes of the Service in […]