An Investigation Concerning Mental Disorder in the Nyasaland Natives

Abstract

Nyasaland is a narrow strip of land 40,000 square miles in extent. It lies approximately between latitude S. 9’ 45” and 17’ 15”, and longitude E. 33’ and 36’. It is bounded on the North by Tanganyika Territory, on the East by Lake Nyasa and Portuguese East Africa, and on the West by Northern Rhodesia and Portuguese East Africa.

Psychiatry in Africa: Special Problems and Unique Features

“…However, there are a few good descriptions (Aubin, 1939) which showed no marked symptomatic departures from Western patterns. The frequency of manic episodes or manic-depressive disorder, reported in mental hospital samples has varied from 5.1 % (Vnycke, 1957) to 21.4 % (Shelley and Watson, 1936). ° There is some disagreement regarding the relationship of mania to bipolar disorder.…”

The interrelationship of tropical disease and mental disorder: conceptual framework and literature review (part I ? malaria)

“…These emphasize the importance of identifying and cataloguing tropical diseases which may be of psychiatric significance because of associated organic psychoses. Other studies in ethnopsychiatry make more of an effort to frame the clinical data in its cultural context, however controversial interpretations of that context may be, and these may be considered as clinicial ethnography (Carothers 1947(Carothers , 1953(Carothers , 1972Smartt 1956;Tooth 1950;Sharadamba Rao 1966;Shelley and Watson 1936;Jilek and Jilek-Aall 1970;Lambo 1955;Greensleeves 1895). Other studies in ethnopsychiatry make more of an effort to frame the clinical data in its cultural context, however controversial interpretations of that context may be, and these may be considered as clinicial ethnography (Carothers 1947(Carothers , 1953(Carothers , 1972Smartt 1956;Tooth 1950;Sharadamba Rao 1966;Shelley and Watson 1936;Jilek and Jilek-Aall 1970;Lambo 1955;Greensleeves 1895).…”

“…An earlier study by Shelley and Watson (1936) investigated patients admitted to the Central Lunatic Asylum in Zomba, headquarters of the government in Nyasaland. An earlier study by Shelley and Watson (1936) investigated patients admitted to the Central Lunatic Asylum in Zomba, headquarters of the government in Nyasaland.…”

Some Characteristics of the Kissy Mental Hospital Population, Freetown

“…In South Africa (1950), the rate for new admissions was 2.5 males to 1 female. Shelley and Watson (1936) considered that it was due to the fact that females lead a more circumscribed life whilst Carothers stated that part of this difference could be explained by the fact that women are more more easily controlled at home. He goes on to state: &dquo;Many men are admitted to hospitals from labour camps, army barracks, townships, etc., where there is a minority or lack of women and where facilities for care are slight or non-existent.&dquo; Gelfand (1957) considers that it is possible with the African that more men than women live in industrial and urban areas where greater opportunity for medical observation exists.…”