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There is little evidence to show what diseases prevailed among the
Indians north of Mexico prior to the advent of white people. The
traditions of the Indians, the existence among them of elaborate healing
rites of undoubtedly ancient origin, their plantlore, in which curative
properties are attributed to many vegetal substances, and the presence
among then of a numerous class of professed healers, honored, feared,
and usually well paid, would seem to indicate that diseases were not
rare, but actual knowledge and even tradition as to their nature are
wanting.
The condition of the skeletal remains, the testimony of early
observers, and the present state of some of the tribes in this regard,
warrant the conclusion that on the whole the Indian race was a
comparatively healthy one. It was probably spared at least some of the
epidemics and diseases of the Old World, such as smallpox and rachitis,
while other scourges, such as tuberculosis, syphilis (pre-columbian),
typhus, cholera, scarlet fever, cancer, etc., were rare, if occurring at
all. Taking into consideration the warlike nature of many of the tribes
and the evidence presented by their hones (especially the skulls),
injuries, etc., particularly those received by offensive weapons, must
have been common, although fractures are less frequent than among white
people.
At the time of the discovery the Indians oil the whole
were probably slowly increasing in numbers. Frequent wars however, had a
marked effect in limiting this increase. Since their contact with whites
most of the tribes have gradually diminished in strength, while some of
the smaller tribes have disappeared entirely. Very few tribes slave
shown an increase or even maintained their former numbers. The most
remarkable example of steady gain is the Navaho tribe.
The causes of
decrease were the introduction of diseases (particularly smallpox) the
spread of alcoholism, syphilis, especially tuberculosis, destructive
war, with the whites, and increased mortality to changes in the habits
of the people through the encroachment of civilization. During recent
years a slow augmentation in population has been noticed among a number
of tribes, and as more attention is paid to the hygienic conditions of
the Indians, an increase comparable to that in whites may be expected in
many sections. The least hopeful conditions in this respect prevail
among the Dakota and other tribes of the colder northern regions, where
pulmonary tuberculosis and scrofula are very common. ( See Population.)
While preserving much of their robust constitution, the
Indians-particularly those of mixed blood-are at present subject to many
disorders and diseases known to the whites, although the pure bloods are
still free from most of the serious morbid conditions and tendencies due
to defective inheritance. They offer little from insanity, idiocy, and
rachitis. Cretinism is exceedingly rare, and general paresis, with a
large number of serious nervous affections, has not yet been recorded
among them.
Diseases of the heart, arteries, and veins, serious
affection of the liver and kidneys, as well as typhoid and scarlet fever
are infrequent. Congenital malformations are very rare, although it is
commonly heard among the Indians themselves that they do sometimes
occur, but that the afflicted infants are not allowed to live.
Fractures, and diseases of the bones in general, as well as dental
caries, are less frequent than among the whites. There is considerable
doubt whether cancer occurs in any form. Venereal diseases, while
predominant among the it, re degraded Indians, are more or less,
effectually guarded against by others.
The most common disorders of health now experienced
among Indian generally are those of the gastro-intestinal tract, which
in infancy are due to improper feeding and particularly the universal
consumption of raw, unripe fruit and vegetables, and in later life to
the lack of or overindulgence in food, irregular meals, the preference
for fat, crudely prepared food, and, recently, the misuse of inferior
baking powders and excessive use of coffee. While most of the disorders
thus introduced are of a minor character, others, particularly in
infants, are frequently fatal.
Other more common diseases, are various
forms of malaria, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, and measles in the
young. Whooping cough is also met with. Inflammation of the conjunctiva
is common amid often leads to ulceration, opacity, and defect in or even
total loss of vision. Defective hearing is occasionally found in the
aged, and there are rare instances of deaf mutes. Eczema, favus, and
acme are among the more ordinary affections of the skin.
Tuberculosis of the lungs, and glandular tuberculosis,
or scrofula, are frequent in many localities and are especially common
among the reservation Indians in the colder parts of the United States,
particularly in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, due to their
present mode of life. They live in small, insanitary hovels, which in
cold weather are ill ventilated and often overheated and crowded, while
their dress is heavier than formerly, their daily life less active,
their food changed, and, what is most important, there is complete
ignorance of the contagious nature of consumption. Some of these
conditions, however, are being gradually bettered.
Goiter is widely distributed, though seldom prevalent;
it is found particularly among some bands of the Sioux, and it occurs
also with some frequency among the Menominee, Oneida, Crows, and White
Mountain Apache. Albinism occurs among a number of the tribes; the
cases, however, are quite isolated, except among the Hopi and to a
lesser degree the Zuņi. In 1903 there were 12 cases of albinism in the
former and 4 in the latter tribe, all of the complete variety. Vitiligo
is much more scattered, but the cases are few. Diseases and functional
disturbances peculiar to women, including those of the puerperium, are
much less common among Indians than among the white women of this
country. Of diseases peculiar to old age, senile arthritis, which
affects particularly the spine, and occasional dementia, are found.
Senility proceeds slowly in the pure-blood Indian, and the number of
individuals above 80 years of age, according to census returns (which,
however, should be regarded with caution), is relatively greater than
among the whites. See Anatomy, Physiology.
Consult Bancroft, Native Races (with bibliographical
references), i-v, 1882; Hrdlicka, Physiological and Medical Observations
Among the Indians (with bibliography), Bull. 33, B. A. E., 1906; Jesuit
Handbook of American Indians, Frederick W. Hodge,1906
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