Description
Book Synopsis: If one of the goals of historical research is to get as close as possible to the texture of daily life in worlds we have lost, then some understanding of the beliefs people had about their health is essential, especially if they lived in an age when the death rates from infectious disease were high and life expectancy was low. Beginning with a simple question-how did people explain why they fell sick? Pestilence and Headcolds: Encountering Illness in Colonial Mexico maps out both Spanish and indigenous notions about human health as they circulated throughout colonial Mexico. As one of only two areas of high civilization in the Americas before 1492, Mesoamerica was home to a variety of peoples with a long tradition of empiric and shamanistic medicine. Beginning in the sixteenth century, however, conquering Spaniards began to impose Spanish forms of settlement and local government and European notions of race, class, and religion. They also enforced a European etiology based on the ancient texts of Hippocrates and Galen.
Because of its cultural diversity, colonial Mexico is an especially rich setting for the exploration of premodern concepts of health and disease. This book draws on a variety of sources to explore the ways in which the inhabitants of colonial Mexico interpreted their health. Sherry Fields thoroughly examines such contemporary writings as native codices, travelers' accounts, chronicles, newspapers, and personal correspondences, as well as home remedy guides written for laypeople. She also considers painted ex-votos from the colonial period, not only as a comment on the illness experience in general, but also as a vehicle for exploring the connection between illness and religious faith.
Details
Are you fascinated by the daily lives of people in the past? Curious about how they understood and explained illness? Look no further! Pestilence and Headcolds: Encountering Illness in Colonial Mexico is the book for you. Dive deep into the beliefs and practices surrounding health in colonial Mexico and gain a whole new perspective on the experiences of those who lived in this age of high infectious disease rates and low life expectancy. Discover how Spanish and indigenous ideas about human health interacted and influenced each other in this captivating journey through history.
What makes Pestilence and Headcolds truly captivating is its exploration of the clash between Spanish and indigenous cultures. As the conquering Spaniards imposed their way of life on the diverse peoples of Mesoamerica, the traditional beliefs and practices of the indigenous population came face to face with European ideas of race, class, and religion. The book examines the fascinating evolution of medicine in this complex cultural context and sheds light on the unique challenges and innovations that emerged.
To bring this exploration to life, author Sherry Fields delves deep into a variety of sources. Through meticulous research, Fields uncovers and interprets native codices, travelers' accounts, personal correspondences, and even ex-votos from the colonial period. By immersing yourself in the words and experiences of the people who lived during this time, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how illness was perceived and treated.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to uncover the secrets of the past. Immerse yourself in Pestilence and Headcolds: Encountering Illness in Colonial Mexico and discover a whole new world of historical insights. Gain a deeper understanding of the rich diversity of cultural beliefs and their impact on health. Expand your knowledge and experience history like never before. Get your copy now and embark on this captivating journey!
Click here to order Pestilence and Headcolds: Encountering Illness in Colonial Mexico now!
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