DISEASES AND THE BEGINNING OF WESTERN MEDICINE IN ASSAM DURING THE COLONIAL ERA

Abstract

 The introduction of western medicine in Assam in the nineteenth century was a path-breaking event in the history of health and medicine of the state. After occupying this land, the British Government realized that they were ought to protect themselves from the numerous epidemic diseases prevalent in Assam like-cholera, malaria, kalazar, dysentery, small pox and diarrhea. The diseases were prevalent in the pre-colonial period too but the mortality rate was quite low. With the development of communication by the British the diseases became widespread and this in turn rapidly increased the mortality rate. The colonial government adopted health and sanitary policies and were mainly concerned in fulfilling the medical needs of the officials, civilians, and military personnel of their own race. However, when these diseases posed as threat to the economic and commercial interests of the British by taking away the lives of thousands of people this western medicine was made available to the local inhabitants of Assam. With the passage of time the British government established dispensaries and hospitals all over the state. Assam also got its first medical institute due to the efforts of a British surgeon. This study focuses on how the western medical policies changed the entire health scenario of the province.