Story: Primary health care

On-board doctor

Patients wait to see a doctor on board an emigrant ship, in this 1875 sketch. Doctors provided a vital service on ships sailing from the northern hemisphere to New Zealand. The journey was long and for many people often marred by ill health. Some doctors who worked on ships settled in New Zealand.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Making New Zealand Centennial Collection (PAColl-3060)
Reference: MNZ-0661-1/4-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Michael Belgrave, 'Primary health care - Early primary health care, mid-19th century', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/zoomify/31509/on-board-doctor (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Michael Belgrave, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 4 Apr 2019