when they had first arrived, a doctor from kintore had examined the family and decided they were strong, fit, and very healthly. but in a few days time, they all got sick. they did not have any natural immunity to diseases. holding wanted a government team of medical specialists to treat them. but kiwirrkurra's leaders would not let any other doctors look at the family. the only people who were allowed to treat them were the local "ngangkari" (medicine man) and the doctor at kintore.