2 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
Old Ways and New
Some modern ways of meeting health needs work better than old ones. But at times
the older, traditional ways are best. For example, traditional ways of caring for children
or old people are often kinder and work better than some newer, less personal ways.
Not many years ago everyone thought that mother’s milk was the best food for a
young baby. They were right! Then the big companies that make canned and artificial
milk began to tell mothers that bottle feeding was better. This is not true, but many
mothers believed them and started to bottle feed their babies. As a result, thousands
of babies have suffered and died needlessly from infection or hunger. For the reasons
breast is best, see p. 271.
Respect your people’s traditions and build on them.
For more ideas for building on local traditions, see Helping Health Workers
Learn, Chapter 7.
BELIEFS THAT CAN MAKE PEOPLE WELL
Some home remedies have a direct effect on the body. Others seem to work only
because people believe in them. The healing power of belief can be very strong.
For example, I once saw a man who
suffered from a very bad headache. To
cure him, a woman gave him a small
piece of yam, or sweet potato. She
told him it was a strong painkiller. He
believed her—and the pain went away
quickly.
It was his faith in her treatment, and
not the yam itself, that made him feel
better.
Many home remedies work in this
way. They help largely because people
have faith in them. For this reason, they
are especially useful to cure illnesses that are partly in people’s minds, or
those caused in part by a person’s beliefs, worry, or fears.
Included in this group of sicknesses are: bewitchment or hexing, unreasonable
or hysterical fear, uncertain ‘aches and pains’ (especially in persons going through
stressful times, such as teenage girls or older women), and anxiety or nervous worry.
Also included are some cases of asthma, hiccups, indigestion, stomach ulcers,
migraine headaches, and even warts.
For all of these problems, the manner or ‘touch’ of the healer can be very
important. What it often comes down to is showing you care, helping the sick person
believe he will get well, or simply helping him relax.