American Indian Medicine (Volume 95) (The Civilization of the American Indian Series) - Softcover

Vogel, Virgil J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0806122935 ISBN 13: 9780806122939

Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press, 1990

Synopsis

The purpose of this book, says the author, is to show the effect of Indian medicinal practices on white civilization. Actually it achieves far more. It discusses Indian theories of disease and methods of combating disease and even goes into the question of which diseases were indigenous and which were brought to the Indian by the white man. It also lists Indian drugs that have won acceptance in the Pharmacopeia of the United States and the National Formulary.

The influence of American Indian healing arts on the medicine and healing and pharmacology of the white man was considerable. For example, such drugs as insulin and penicillin were anticipated in rudimentary form by the aborigines. Coca leaves were used as narcotics by Peruvian Indians hundreds of years before Carl Koller first used cocaine as a local anesthetic in 1884. All together, about 170 medicines, mostly botanical, were contributed to the official compendia by Indians north of the Rio Grande, about 50 more coming from natives of the Latin-American and Caribbean regions.

Impressions and attitudes of early explorers, settlers, physicians, botanists, and others regarding Indian curative practices are reported by geographical regions, with British, French, and Spanish colonies and the young United States separately treated.

Indian theories of disease―sorcery, taboo violation, spirit intrusion, soul loss, unfulfilled dreams and desires, and so on -and shamanistic practices used to combat them are described. Methods of treating all kinds of injuries-from fractures to snakebite-and even surgery are included. The influence of Indian healing lore upon folk or domestic medicine, as well as on the "Indian doctors" and patent medicines, are discussed. For the convenience of the reader, an index of botanical names is provided, together with a wide variety of illustrations. The disproportionate attention that has been given to the superstitious and unscientific features of aboriginal medicine has tended to obscure its real contributions to American civilization.

About this title

About the Author:

Virgil J. Vogel, who received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, is professor emeritus in the Social Science Department, Truman College, City Colleges of Chicago. He has written extensively on American Indian healing arts and their influence on the medicine, healing; and pharmacology of the white civilization.

Review:

“American Indian Medicine is much more than its title indicates. For in presenting the medical practices of the New World, Vogel gives a fine picture of the historical relationship between the native Americans and the newcomers from the Old World.”—American West

“Most other works have tended to emphasize the shamanistic, magical, or ritualistic practices that Indians used in the curing arts, but in this volume the ‘practical’ and (mostly) pharmacological bases of treatment and cure are studied. . . . A very satisfying book.”—Library Journal

“[This] is a well and interestingly written essay on the medical aspects of Indian history, folklore, pharmacology, and botany. Emphasis is correctly placed on those things which have been carried over from the Indian’s medical practice to that of the white man. . . . [It] should interest all physicians, anthropologists, botanists, ecologists, and historians. The literate layman will enjoy it. Those who like things that improve the Indian’s status will love it.”—Journal of the American Medical Association

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0806122935
• ISBN 13: 9780806122939
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 622