2f)0 CALDERON. 



usually employ another bistoury with a blunt point, but we believe that this 

 can be replaced by putting a small ball of wax on the point of the convex 

 bistoury ; and it is my opinion that in practice it is sufficient to cut the skin 

 and the cellular tissue with a well-sharpened knife, reserving the bistoury with 

 the ball of wax for the section of the peritoneum and the womb. If a razor 

 is used, the handle should be firm and strong." 



Judging from these statements, it appears that the medico-social 

 influence of the missionary friars in the Philippines has been exceedingly 

 important, especially in the field of obstetrics, and if is believed that with 

 their evangelic advice, these priests dissipated the innumerable pagan 

 superstitions relating to parturition, but, on the other hand, they sanc- 

 tioned the use of many remedies utterly in conflict with common sense, 

 some of which are to-day used by the lower classes. All 'of this is yery 

 excusable in these men, who were as full of the best desires and of love 

 for their fellow-men as they were lacking in obstetrical knowledge. It 

 is therefore not surprising that one still hears at the present time of 

 some parturient to whom repulsive substances, such as dog urine, or 

 mouse, horse or cow excrement have been administered. 



Dr. Benito Valdez, of the faculty of the University of Santo Tomas, 

 Manila, has recently told me of a parturient to whom a decoction of 

 horse excrement was administered in order to facilitate labor, whereupon 

 tetanus set in and the woman died. According to my informant, this 

 case happened in Manila, approximately two years ago. 



There are women who palliate the sufferings of childbirth by applying 

 to the abdomen scapularies, images, medals, or to the feet, hands or 

 other portions of the body relics of some famous saint venerated in the 

 churches, or who drink, instead of urine or excrements, the miraculous 

 water from Lourdes, accredited among pious people as an excellent 

 medicine for facilitating parturition. 



INFLUENCE OF THE CHINESE. 



A very important factor which should be taken into consideration in 

 this analytical study is the geographical proximity of the Celestial Empire 

 to the Philippine Islands. Thousands of Chinese immigrants have 

 invaded even the most remote parts of this Archipelago. One of the 

 consequences of this immigration has been the introduction into this 

 country of many superstitions originating in China which have become 

 general among the Filipinos, and which have been strengthened by the 

 arrival here of several Chinese physicians who practiced medicine among 

 the natives according to Chinese usage. These so-called doctors acquired 

 such influence that it is not an exaggeration to state that their queer 

 therapeutic theories and practices are still followed by a portion of the 

 population of the Philippine Islands. 



While I was municipal physician in Carigara, Leyte, in the year 



