OCR Text |
Show 188 The description of the Chaneque himself (can be of either sex, blonde or even negro with kinky hair, almost always appearing naked) as well as the characteristics of his habitat (they are generally found bathing in streams of water), the illnesses which they cause and the treatment recommended (almost always a fever with a loss of appetite for which the patient must be "cleansed", by passing branches, flowers or a whole egg above his body) are presented in the form of information just as it was obtained from the informants of the region, quoting exactly in many cases the ideas, attitudes and opinions related to these mysterious beings. 1960 Pourchet, Maria Julia, "Subnutricao da Crianca Indigena," America Indigena, XX, No. 2 (April, 1960), pp. 103-109. English summary: The author of this work presents here her recent observations of a bio-psychological character in the Kaingang community of Palmas in the southwestern section of the Brazilian state of Parana. The main subject of her study is the causes which explain the notable malnutrition of the Indian children of that group. She offers objective data resulting from two psychological tests directed to the mental, cultural and social level of the 22 Kaingang children, representative of the group. The results obtained, of a very negative character, demonstrate in the author's judgement the alarming state of abandonment of these children. In her conclusion, the author discusses the necessity for obtaining direct and efficient attention to this problem from governmental and international organizations. Garate de Garcia, Catalina, "Los Trastornos Emocionales Como Causa de Enfermedad en Tehuantepec," America Ind igena. XX (July, 1960), pp. 201-206. English summary: The explanations of disease in the Mexican rural areas and among groups of Indian background, generally are of mixed origin: on one hand they are the consequence of the traditional Indianmedical ideas rooted in the pre-Hispanic era; and on the other, they are influenced by 16th and 17th century Spanish medicine. In the Isthmus of Tehuantepec zone, in addition to the diseases generally known in the Mexican Republic --evil eye, "breath of cancer or of death," and others-- there exist diseases extremely important in traditional medicine, whose principal characteristic is that their origin is evidenced by an intense emotional upset. From the strictly scientific point of view, it is necessary to note the importance given to this type of condition by the specialist in traditional medicine. And since we could consider these diseases as the popular version of the afflictions called "psychosomatic" by modern medicine, we have tried to present all the information possible concerning each of such diseases, pointing out the symptomatology as well as the prognosis and treatment in terms of the traditional medicine of the zone. |