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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 Letters38 • 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.
Subjects
Morbidity
Pharmaceuticals
Medical therapy
Ethnobotany
culture
Aleut
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