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Show 170 interwoven with al] other aspects of indigenous culture, gives a brief sketch of the basic elements of Mbya religion most closely connected with the art of curing. A great number of diseases are attributed to the operation of Teko Achy, the human passions or earthly appetites, the literal translation of which is "the imperfect way of life." This Teko Achy produces the double soul which accompanies the word soul, of Divine origin, throughout life; the divine word-soul returns to Heaven upon the death of the human being; the earthly soul, product of Teko Achy or the earthly passions, remains on earth. All diseases due to the influence of Teko Achy, to the effects of heat and cold, to intestinal parasites, etc., are amenable to rational treatment, and the medicinal herbs and other substances utilized therefore were divulged to mankind by the Gods. The author gives a list of common ailments and prescriptions for their treatment, including the techniques utilized both to cure sterility in women and to avoid conception. Although motherhood is considered a sacred function and the barren woman does not fulfill the mission for which she was created, excessive childbirth harms a woman and may be avoided. Other mysterious ailments, surpassing common disease in severity, are due to Pochy, Evil; these are amenable only to spiritual methods of healing. To acquire the faculty of combating the effects of Evil, a lengthy novitiate is necessary to free the soul of grossness; and examples are quoted of mystics who, freeing themselves of the burden of all earthly appetites, entered Heaven without suffering the ordeal of death. Quoting Bertoni who states that cf all the Guarani speaking nations the Mbya are those who have managed to preserve their customs, religion and language in the greatest purity, the author is of opinion that this is due to the tribal leaders who practice spiritual methods of healing, who have waged a four-century long struggle to preserve the spiritual and physical health of their followers, constantly menaced owing tc contacts with civilization. Gutierrez-Noriega, Carlos (Peru). "El Habito de la Coca en el Peru," America Indigena, IX No. 2 (April, 1949), pp. 143-154. English Summary: The coca habit has existed in Peru since the pre- Inca epoch, but became intensively widespread only after the Spanish Conquest. At present, a minimum of 8,500,000 kilograms of coca are consumed annually, and it has been shown that 85% of the alkaloid content of that enormous quantity-i.e. 50,575 kilograms- are consumed by those addicted to the drug. On an average, an individual takes in 140 milligrams of alkaloids per period of mastication of the coca leaves, of wh^ch 112 milligrams correspond to cocaine and the rest to other alkaloids. |
