@article{oai:minpaku.repo.nii.ac.jp:00004439,
 author = {秋道, 智彌 and Akimichi , Tomoya},
 issue = {2},
 journal = {国立民族学博物館研究報告, Bulletin of the National Museum of Ethnology},
 month = {Aug},
 note = {Focusing on the curing of children's illness, this paper describes
the present-day medical practices of the Gidra-speaking people of
The paper concludes by suggesting that transformation of medical
systems in the developing world should be examined from two
aspects simultaneously; the secular and the ritual.
lowland Papua to illustrate changes in a medical system in a tropical
rural environment.
The Gidra folk classification of illness shows marked dichotomic
distinction: simple illness caused by nature and illness associated
with ancestor worship, and the violation of taboo, the latter being
considered fatal. Abortion is also related to magic whereas infanticide
and contraception, prior to the introduction of Christianity,
were considered as a practical means of population control, and unrelated
to magical spheres.
Traditional cures for illness among infants are characterized by
blood-depletion and elimination of gas, and such like, as well as the
use of medicinal plants, especially those of the genera Zingiber and
Acorus.
Breastfeeding is specifically important for administering medicine
to infants since medicines can easily be taken via breastmilk. The
medicines are either taken first by the mother or smeared around her
nipples.
The recent introduction of Western medicines, contraceptives,
and Aid Posts among other things, as a part of the nationwide
health program, has forced the villagers to cope with a new situation.
Traditional cures still remain effective for common illnesses like
diarrhea or cough, whereas high fever caused mainly by malaria or
measles, are now cured by a medical orderly versed in Western medicine.
As a consequence, he is now gaining a status similar to that of
the traditional medicine man.},
 pages = {349--382},
 title = {ニューギニア低地・ギデラ族における小児の病気と治療},
 volume = {9},
 year = {1984},
 yomi = {アキミチ, トモヤ}
}