Where There Is No Doctor 2011
The first English edition was the result of many requests to adapt it for use in Africa
and Asia. I received help and suggestions from persons with experience in many
parts of the world. But the English edition seems to have lost much of the flavor and
usefulness of the original Spanish edition, which was written for a specific area, and
for people who have for years been my neighbors and friends. In rewriting the book to
serve people in many parts of the world, it has in some ways become too general.
To be fully useful, this book should be adapted by persons familiar with the
health needs, customs, special ways of healing, and local language of specific
areas.
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Persons or programs who wish to use this book, or portions of it, in preparing their
own manuals for villagers or health workers are encouraged to do so. Permission
from the author or publisher is not needed—provided the parts reproduced are
distributed free or at cost—not for profit. It would be appreciated if you would
(1) include a note of credit and (2) send a copy of your production to Hesperian,
1919 Addison St., #304, Berkeley, California 94704, U.S.A.
For local or regional health programs that do not have the resources for revising this
book or preparing their own manuals, it is strongly suggested that if the present edition
is used, leaflets or inserts be supplied with the book to provide additional information
as needed.
In the Green Pages (the Uses, Dosage, and Precautions for Medicines) blank
spaces have been left to write in common brand names and prices of medicines.
Once again, local programs or organizations distributing the book would do well to
make up a list of generic or low-cost brand names and prices, to be included with
each copy of the book.
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This book was written for anyone who wants to do something about his or her own
and other people’s health. However, it has been widely used as a training and work
manual for community health workers. For this reason, an introductory section has
been added for the health worker, making clear that the health worker’s first job is to
share her knowledge and help educate people.
Today in over-developed as well as under-developed countries, existing health care
systems are in a state of crisis. Often, human needs are not being well met. There is
too little fairness. Too much is in the hands of too few.
Let us hope that through a more generous sharing of knowledge, and through
learning to use what is best in both traditional and modern ways of healing, people
everywhere will develop a kinder, more sensible approach to caring—for their own
health, and for each other.
—D.W.