Tropical treatment

A retired nurse recounts her visit to Malaya in 1953 where she helped to provide treatment for displaced Chinese people. Her lack of knowledge about cholera and malaria, which was prevalent, and the setting up of a clinic using medicine obtained from a cottage hospital several miles away is described. Common treatments were for ulcerated feet, caused by the rubber making process which involved treading acid-treated latex, and abscesses, and the most common complaints were anaemia amongst women and internal parasites in children.