STUDIES OF ABORIGINES AT AURUKUN AND WEIPA MISSIONS 1. CLINICAL FINDINGS ON CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS, ERYTHROCYTE SEDIMENTATION RATES AND ANTISTREPTOLYSIN TITRES

Abstract

SYNOPSIS This study describes the results of examinations in 1964 of 332 and in 1965 of 410 Aboriginal children and adolescents living in Missions on the Gulf of Carpentaria in North Queensland. Their general physique and nutrition were found to be good. As shown by the incidence of organic type cardiac bruits, and on clinical grounds, there was evidence of streptococcal infection in both these Missions, one readily accessible to white Australian population and the other relatively isolated. Unusually high erythrocyte sedimentation rates (E.S.R.) and anti-streptolysin O (A.S.O.) levels were found, usually without any apparent relationship to the clinical findings. Possible reasons for the high E.S.R. rates have been studied. It is considered that there is scope for further paediatric investigations among Aboriginal children.