The American Indian tribal nations and communities have long experienced health status worse than that of other Americans. Although major gains in reducing health disparities were made during the last half of the 20th century, most gains stopped by the mid-1980s. Consequently, health disparities continue to exist with marked variation across…

Traces the history of medical care at a residential school for Cherokee girls in the late nineteenth century. Describes the unsanitary conditions of the buildings and efforts by medical superintendents to improve them, prevalent diseases and their treatments, nutrition, and emphasis on physical fitness. Contains 58 references. (SV)