BUSHVELD DOCTOR By Louis C. Leipoldt
Dr. Leipoldt's job was Chief Inspector of Schools for the Transvaal. In this book (Cape, zos. 6d.) he dekribes his experiences, and makes generalisations that will probably cause consternation in some quarters. Twice a year he went round all the schools of the bushveld area, and it is a depressing picture he gives of the conditions of life of the settlers and the general health of their children. He finds no evidence of the development of a type of white man suited to life in a semi-tropical region. Instead he tells a story of degeneration, of defective children, of failure to become adapted to conditions. He is extremely frank, and perhaps, like most outspoken people, inclined to emphasise the dark side of a situation. He discusses other problems besides those of health : he has strong views on the position of the " poor white," the Indian and the native; on social and economic questions. And, for contrast, he found time to study the problems of the colour and song of birds—his favourite hobby. Altogether this is a most provocative and inter- esting book.
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