American Indian Medicine

by Virgil J. Vogel

Book Overview

The purpose of this book, says the author, is to show the effect of Indian medicinal practices on white civilization. Actually it achieves far more. It discusses Indian theories of disease and methods of combating disease and even goes into the question of which diseases were indigenous and which were brought to the Indian by the white man. It also lists Indian drugs that have won acceptance in the Pharmacopeia of the United States...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806122935
• ISBN13: 9780806122939
• Release Date: September 1990
• Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
• Length: 622 Pages
• Weight: 1.87 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.0" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

American Indian Medicine

American Indian Medicine written by Virgil J. Vogel is a compilation of what the American Indian used for medicine to aid in the treatment of disease. This book is NOT a step by step process pharmacopoeia with all the weights and preparation steps but is a good general book on what was used. Granted the author states this in his preface and he is not a medical practioner, but what he has given us is history of Indian Medicine in the Americas.Native American Medicine has long intrigud me and the collection of the herbs, roots, bark, and leaves of plants is what pharmacognsy was to the settlers . This book has been divided into eight sections with a bibliography that helps the reader in further study. The chapters are as follows:What the red man gave usIndian theories of disease and shamanistic practices.Early observation of white man on indian medicine.Service of indian doctors to whites.The influence of indian medicine on folk medicine, irregular practioners, and patent medicine.Indian health and disease.American Indian therapeutic methodsConclusionsThe author has a rather "folksy" style to the prose and is very easily readable making for a fast read. The American Indian had treatments for most of the first-aid that we have today, but the practice of asepsis and surgery interested me.All in all, this was a well-written and thought-provoking book and is well worth a read.

Best beginning for studying Indian medicine

Vogel's book has been updated in some areas, but remains the beginning place for the "grand view" of the many applications of American Indian medicine, including everything from suturing wounds to calming childbirth. It contains a wealth of sources leading the student to further study. It also lists common as well as scientific names of medicinal plants.