Changing patterns of disease in Papua New Guinea over a period of 40 years from 1962. Pathology encountered in a stoneage culture by the first western-trained doctors who entered the country.

The diseases observed in Papua New Guinea coastal and highland people were described: segmental enteritis necroticans caused by the ingestion of pig meat contaminated with Clostridium welchii type C; chest empyemas caused by thoracostomies performed by village doctors because of ancient superstition; traumatic injuries; primary and secondary (lepromatous leprosy or tuberculosis) amylosis; slow prominent atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction.