Ethnomed.org is a great site for info on cultural beliefs of different ethnic groups that affect their approach to healthcare. Choose a group of interest under the Culture/Language menu. The site is linked on PEMsource’s FOAM page under “Adjunct Topics in Healthcare.” The following is a selection regarding traditional Mexican beliefs:

Traditional diseases

Empacho is a form of stomach upset which is believed to be caused by a bolus of undigested food (Fishman et al). This can happen by eating the wrong foods at the wrong time of the day or eating undercooked foods. Symptoms include anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea bloating, indigestion, and constipation. The most common treatment is massaging the stomach or back, pinching the skin of the back and pulling it until it pops.

Caida de mollera means sunken fontanel and is believed to be caused by pulling a baby away from the breast or bottle too quickly, having the baby fall to the ground or carrying the baby incorrectly. Symptoms include poor suck, irritability, sunken eyes, vomiting and diarrhea. The treatments include pushing up on the baby’s palate with a finger, holding the baby upside down over a pan of water and slapping the bottoms of his feet, and apply a poultice to the fontanel.

Susto or fright sickness is caused by a traumatic or frightening experience. Symptoms include lethargy anxiety, depression, insomnia, and irritability. Treatment includes herbal teas, covering the face with a cloth and sprinkling holy water, and spitting a mouthful of water or alcohol into the patients face unexpectedly.

Mal ojo or evil eye is caused by a person with a “strong eye” and occurs when someone admires a child without touching them. The cure involves passing an egg over the body and then placing it in a bowl under the child’s pillow overnight. If the egg is cooked in the morning then the child had “mal de ojo”.

Mal puesto is when someone uses witchcraft to put a bad disease on a person. The hex can be placed by a bruja (witch) or someone who knows about witchcraft. Symptoms can be varied and the cure involves prayers, massages, herbs, making crosses on the arms with olive oil and chili powder, and medicinal enemas.