article
Botanical and ethnological studies in the Aleutian Islands: II. health and medical lore of the Aleuts
Papers of the Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters • 38 • Published In 1953 • Pages: 415-432
By: Bank, Ted.
Abstract
This source only provides an excellent historical review of some of the early accounts of explorers, missionaries, etc., relevant to the problem of disease and its treatment among the Aleut, but also lists current practices along these lines. In addition to discussion of the various diseases afflicting the Aleut, information is also provided on the contemporary health of the Aleut (as derived from health records), and a study of the Aleut's own medical knowledge and forms of treatment. A listing of various plants used in the native pharmacopoeia is also provided in the source, as well as a brief discussion of the Aleut's knowledge of magical and poisonous plants found in the environment. From this study the author concludes that the medical and surgical lore of these people was well developed in pre-Russian (European) days, and that this knowledge was a carefully guarded secret of a chosen few (i.e., the native doctors). Today, however, the Aleut culture, under the influence of European acculturation, has deteriorated to such an extent that there is a complete dependence on the present government not only for medical care, but for economic survival as well.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2007
- Region
- North America
- Sub Region
- Arctic and Subarctic
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Natural Scientist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- John Beierle ; 1964-1965
- Field Date
- 1948-1951
- Coverage Date
- 1948-1951
- Coverage Place
- Atka, Umnak, and Unalaska Islands, Alaska, United States
- Notes
- Theodore P. Bank, II
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 430-431)
- References are made to Russian historical accounts, such as Veniamenof (1823-1834). (I.S. 2005)
- LCCN
- 23011028
- LCSH
- Aleuts