The Colonial Disease: A Social History of Sleeping Sickness in Northern Zaire, 1900–1940 (Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine) - Softcover

Lyons, Maryinez

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521524520 ISBN 13: 9780521524520

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

The Belgians commonly referred to their colonisation of the Congo as a 'civilising mission', and many regarded the introduction of western bio-medicine as a central feature of their 'gift' to Africans. By 1930, however, it was clear that some features of their 'civilising mission' were in fact closely connected to the poor health of many of the Congolese. The Europeans had indeed brought scientific enquiry and western bio-medicine; but they had also introduced a harsh, repressive political system which, coupled with a ruthlessly exploitative economic system, led to the introduction of new diseases while already-existing diseases were exacerbated and spread. Tropical, or 'colonial', medicine was a new field at the turn of the century, linked closely both to European expansionism and human trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness. In 1901 a devastating epidemic had erupted in Uganda, killing well over 250,000 people.

About this title

Book Description:

The Congolese people termed sleeping sickness the 'colonial disease'. This study examines why Belgian colonisation of the Congo, rather than benefiting the local population, exacerbated many diseases.

Review:

..".a most interesting and readable account of the social history of a most important disease. Her evidence supports her argument of "medical imperialism"--that medicine was an effective mechanism for the Belgians to impose their authority over subjected peoples." Tanya Weinstein, The International Journal of African Historical Studies

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0521524520
• ISBN 13: 9780521524520
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352