Mexican Spiritism & Humeral medicine

2 Mexican Spiritism Arose mid-19 th C.—an era of political, economic, & social turbulence Inquisition—women resisted powerlessness at the hands of male authorities Resorted to superstition to control men’s sexual authority

3 –Courts sided with men so women used witchcraft to retaliate against men –They aimed to reduce brutal treatment & infidelity –Witchcraft empowered women since they had knowledge of sexual powers (Re: danger of uncontrolled power)

4 – Liberal Reforms Increased social inequalities – Revolution Generated understandings related to illness that spread to rural areas

5 Spiritism, class, & power Spiritualism is a response to increasing class differentiation Social mobility is not available Spiritualists lack power, thus gain it by controlling spirits –Women hold ritual positions within spiritualism –Where they otherwise lack control

6 The individual removes themselves from encounters with class & power differences –Seeking dignity & equality –An escape from social conflict

7 ETIOLOGY (Knowledge about causes of disease) THE CAUSAL EPISODE IS LOOSELY DEFINED –THERE IS MUCH LATITUDE IN FINDING A CAUSE THAT FITS PERSONAL FICTION –APPEARS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF AN EPISODE IN WHICH THE INDIVIDUAL IS UNABLE TO MEET SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS –PROVIDES AN EXPLANATION FOR DEVIANT BEHAVIOR

8 Humeral medicine 4 Humors4 Humors YELLOW BILE FIRE HOT DRY EARTH AIR WATER COLDWET BLACK BILE BLOOD PHLEGM

9 Culture & belief systems Ojo (evil eye) Envidia (envy) Aire (bad air) Susto (fright)—leads to soul loss

10 susto Is a culturally sanctioned avenue of escape for an individual suffering from culturally-induced stress The behavior is not due to the character of the individual, but because she has been “asustada” Asustadas have impunity to engage in behavior otherwise considered offensive She can impose her own definition on a situation giving her deviant acts legitimacy Gives her control over interactions

11 SYMPTOMS CORAJE, SUSTO, ENVIDIA = HOT EXPERIENCES –AVOID HOT FOODS (BEEF, ASPIRIN) WORKING WITH HANDS AIRE = COLD EXPERIENCE –AVOID COLD FOODS (CHICKEN SOUP, ORANGES, ALKA SELTZER) PATIENTS SUFFER LISTNESSNESS, APPETITE LOSS, WITHDRAWAL FROM SOCIAL INTERACTION

12 TREATMENT TO REGAIN HEALTH: BALANCE AMONG THE HUMORS LACK OF BALANCE (SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL) CAUSES ILLNESS CURANDEROS –CLEANSE BODY WITH EGG TO EXTRACT EXCESS COLD –HERBS, CANDLES, MASSAGES, INCANTATIONS BRUJAS (WITCHES) CAUSE HARM

13 FUNCTIONALIST INTERPRETATION OF WITCH BELIEFS (LAURA bOHANan) Explains the inexplicable Enforces conformity to norms Provides a scapegoat Provides a role for social deviants Accusations increase during periods of stress (epidemics)