Indigenous theories of contagious disease

by Edward C. Green

"Far from being the province of magic, witchcraft, and sorcery, indigenous understanding of contagious disease in the developing world very often parallels western concepts of germ theory." "Labeling this Indigenous Contagion Theory (ICT), applied anthropologist, author, and consultant Edward C. Green synthesizes the voluminous ethnographic work of tropical diseases and remedies in the Third World - including 20 years of his own studies and interventions with traditional healers in southern Africa - to present the compelling case that indigenous peoples generally believe contagious diseases to have naturalistic causes and cures." "For the public health practitioner, Green's work points the way in which western medical practitioners can incorporate ICT to better help native peoples control contagious diseases."--Jacket.