A comparison of admissions to a semirural hospital between the years 1959/1960 and 1977/1978.

A survey was conducted of admissions to a semirural hospital for Black patients in Bophuthatswana for the period April - March of the years 1959/19610 and 1977/1978 to ascertain whether any measurable change had occurred in the disease pattern. No significant increase over the 18 years was found in the number of admissions for diabetes, appendicitis, peptic ulceration, or coronary heart disease. There was, however, an increase in the incidence of anorectal conditions and in admissions for hypertension.