CHAPTER XV 



DOMESTIC LIFE— MEDICINE, SICKNESS, AND DEATH 

 MEDICINE AND DISEASE 



The subject of Manobo medicine may be divided into three parts, according to the causes 

 that are supposed to produce the malady or according to the means that are used to cure it. 

 These classes will be described as natural, magic, and religious. 



NATURAL MEDICINES AND DISEASES 



Natural remedies in the form of roots and herbs are used for the ordinary bodily ailments 

 that afflict the Manobo. The following are the more common forms of sickness : Fever, 1 tuber- 

 culosis, 2 pain in the diaphragm, 3 pains in the stomach and abdomen, 4 pains in the chest, 6 pain in 

 the head, 6 colds, 7 chronic cough (probably bronchitis), 8 pernicious malaria, 9 ordinary malaria or 

 chills and fever, 10 cutaneous diseases, 11 intestinal worms, 12 and some few others. 



The natural remedies used in the cure of the above-mentioned diseases are not very numerous, 

 but they are applied as a rule externally. In each settlement there are always a few who have 

 gained a reputation above others for their knowledge of these medicines, but their proficiency 

 is not high as may be judged by the degree of their success and by the opinion of many of their 

 fellow tribesmen. 



For wounds, tobacco juice and the black residue found in a tobacco pipe are considered an 

 effective ointment. Saliva mixed with betel nut is used for the same purpose, and also for pains 

 in the stomach. For other pains the leaves of various trees, according to the knowledge or faith 

 of each individual, are applied. For pains in the stomach the gall of a certain snake 13 is said to be 

 efficacious. It is mixed with a little water and applied externally, or it may be taken internally, 

 provided it be mixed with a little powder from a piece of pulverized plate. 14 



The perfume of certain resins and especially that of the manumbd tree are considered 

 medicinal in some cases. 



The root of a tree called lu-na, when left to steep in water, is said to be a very potent remedy 

 for pains in the stomach. The seed of the sd-i grass is also used for the same purpose, and is said 

 to be a prophylactic against stomach troubles. 



No amount of persuasion will overcome the Manobos' suspicions of European medicine till 

 the administrator of it follows the old saying of "Physician, heal thyself," and takes the first 

 dose. In any case it is not prudent to offer it except after long acquaintance, for should any 

 change for the worse occur in the patient's condition after taking the foreign medicine he might 

 imitate people of greater intellectual caliber, and say, as he probably would, "Post hoc, ergo 

 propter hoc," and the ensuing events might be sudden and unexpected. 



On one occasion I administered a small dose of quinine to a child that was suffering from 

 fever. It died the following day. The father, who had requested me to give the child some 



' Hiilg-vau. 



' Sug-pa. 



' Ka-bu-hi, or gi-liub, probably a reversal of the diaphragm. 



< Pus-on and go-tuk. 



fl Da-ga-ha. 



• 6-vo. 

 » U-M. 



> Piis-mo. 



• Pid-pid. 

 '• 6-vud. 

 " KA-do. 

 u Bi-tuk. 



'» Ba-ku-aan. The gall of this snake is reported as being a panacea used by the Mamanuas. 

 " PiUg-gan, an imported plate of very inferior make. 



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