Chinese and Leprosy in 19th Century Victoria

Abstract

The inadequate care and treatment of the poor and sick reflected the lack of affordable private health insurance or a government sponsored universal social security system in 19th century Victoria. The seriously ill poor, and especially the small group of Chinese lepers, relied on the charity of local Christian philanthropists in Ballarat and Melbourne mostly organised by the Rev. William Young, a Presbyterian missionary in Ballarat. The delivery of assistance was managed by Sergeant Larner, a kindly disposed member of the Victoria Police.