Abstract
This is a chapter which examines health and personal hygiene practices. Bathing, which was almost a daily ritual, is discussed in Section 1 and includes various references made by the early visitors and residents. 'The Call of Nature', the euphemistic title of Section 2, examines various toileting practices and how some of these related to polite behaviour. What to do about head and body lice is the topic of Section 3 and presented here are some of the implements used to search for and remove lice. In Section 4 on oral hygiene, the discussion focuses on ways of sweetening the breath, brushing and cleaning the teeth, and dealing with transitory and chronic problems associated with the mouth and lips.
The eyes and ears are discussed in Section 5. Specific mention is made of cleaning the ears and some of the medical problems which could occur if the ears were to become infected. Deafness of varying degrees and the development of what appears to be a sign language is also mentioned. As for the eyes, these have natural ways of cleaning themselves, and this is discussed along with problems such as styes, cataracts and partial and complete blindness.
The hands and feet are the topic of Section 6, and examined here are problems associated with disability, skin diseases, as well as calluses and blisters. Section 7 includes a long discussion on the treatment of abscesses, boils and ulcers, distinguishing among these conditions and looking at some of the plants which were used to aid healing. Wounds of various types and from various causes are discussed in Section 8 which includes treatments to relieve pain and prevent infection.
In Section 9 is an examination of medicines and medicinal plants, and Section 10 a discussion of medical implements, basically the cupping glass. With Section 11 begins a general discussion of sickness, including contagious diseases many of which led to epidemics devastating not only families, but whole towns and districts. The course of an illness, the symptoms, effects, care and recovery, or otherwise, are examined in Sections 12 and 13. Section 14 presents a variety of other ailments, from stroke to the common cold.
The eyes and ears are discussed in Section 5. Specific mention is made of cleaning the ears and some of the medical problems which could occur if the ears were to become infected. Deafness of varying degrees and the development of what appears to be a sign language is also mentioned. As for the eyes, these have natural ways of cleaning themselves, and this is discussed along with problems such as styes, cataracts and partial and complete blindness.
The hands and feet are the topic of Section 6, and examined here are problems associated with disability, skin diseases, as well as calluses and blisters. Section 7 includes a long discussion on the treatment of abscesses, boils and ulcers, distinguishing among these conditions and looking at some of the plants which were used to aid healing. Wounds of various types and from various causes are discussed in Section 8 which includes treatments to relieve pain and prevent infection.
In Section 9 is an examination of medicines and medicinal plants, and Section 10 a discussion of medical implements, basically the cupping glass. With Section 11 begins a general discussion of sickness, including contagious diseases many of which led to epidemics devastating not only families, but whole towns and districts. The course of an illness, the symptoms, effects, care and recovery, or otherwise, are examined in Sections 12 and 13. Section 14 presents a variety of other ailments, from stroke to the common cold.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Intersections: Gender and Sexuality in Asia and the Pacific |
| Subtitle of host publication | Monograph 1: The Philippines at the Turn of the Sixteenth Century: with particular reference to the Bikol region |
| Editors | Carolyn Brewer |
| Place of Publication | Canberra |
| Publisher | The Australian National University |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9780646568195 |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |