Harry William Breydon Eastwell
Published: 1973
Total Pages:
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Comments on traditional system of medicine & competition from Western system, suggests reevaluation of role of traditional healer; outlines way of life on missions & settlements in Arnhem Land reserve (population, housing, health services, education), table shows number of healers for 11 places (Croker Island, Goulburn Island, Oenpelli, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Elcho Island, Yirrkala, Umbakumba, Angurugu, Numbulwar, Ngukurr), lists 6 areas of concern to Aborigines; functions of native practitioner, views on causes of illness, (tribal practitioners function as coroner or diviner of cause of death, functions as psychiatrist (cases cited for each with Western & Aboriginal diagnoses & details of treatment), function in the Dispensary Syndrome, harmful intervention by tribal practitioner (case cited); contrasts positive & negative aspects of tribal medicine (from Western view), deficiencies of Western medical system (from Aboriginal view); 3 ways of involving tribal practitioner in health care.