Abstract
M.A. (History)
Public health as a phenomenon only developed in S.A. during the 20th
century. These developments largely resembled the developments already
prevalent in the Western World of the time. Public health as a concept
was essentially the control of contagious diseases as well as
the preservation of a clean and hygienic environment for the inhabitants
of a certain area.
However, the realities prevalent in South Africa during 1900-1945 contributed
towards the fact that public health had to play a subordinate
role in society. On local levels, political, social and economic factors
contributed to the fact that the health of whites and blacks (who were
forced together within the municipal boundaries of Brakpan) displayed
divergent characteristics.
The polarization that took place in the South African health services
was largely due to the sanitation syndrome which form the basis of
the apartheid legislation that was determined by the Native (Urban Areas)
Act of 1923. The separation of residential areas necessitated the duplication
of health facilities in order to make provision for the different
groups and this situation led to the unequal treatment experienced
by different races...