PRE-HISPANIC MEDICINE (GENERAL)
How were illnesses understood in pre-Hispanic civilizations?
They were associated with religion and seen as punishment for transgressions.
How did the Maya explain illness?
As a bodily imbalance caused by bad behavior or a sign of misfortune.
What did Inca shamans use to heal the sick?
Herbs, minerals, animals, prayers, and songs.
What was the most important medicinal plant in the Inca Empire?
The coca leaf.
How was the health of the people of Tenochtitlán described by chroniclers?
They enjoyed good health and lived to old age.
Who were responsible for healing the sick in indigenous civilizations?
Priests or shamans.
Mention two medical practices used by the Maya.
Suturing wounds and treating fractures.
What surgical procedure did the Incas perform by drilling the skull?
Trepanation, to remove the source of illness or evil spirits.
What other use did the coca leaf have besides medicine?
It was used in ceremonial dances by shamans.
What caused diseases according to Aztec beliefs?
An imbalance in the vital force (tonalli) caused by breaking social norms.
What types of medicines did pre-Hispanic civilizations use?
Medicines of plant, mineral, and animal origin.
What elements were used in Mayan healing rituals?
Plant preparations, prayers, confessions, offerings, sacrifices, purification baths, and psychotropics.
Why were coca leaves used during surgeries?
Because they worked as local anesthetics and reduced pain.
What medicinal properties did quinoa have?
It was diuretic, expectorant, nutritious, and refreshing.
What is the difference between ticitl and shamans?
Ticitl were medical specialists based on observation; shamans used magic and hallucinogenic plants.
Why were prayers and sacrifices important in healing?
Because they believed the gods restored health to the sick.
Why was restoring health a matter of public interest for the Maya?
Because illness affected the balance of the community.
Mention two types of Inca doctors and their functions.
Hampicamayoq used plants; Sirkak treated fractures.
Why was knowledge of plants essential in ancestral medicine?
Because plants were the main source of treatments and healing remedies.
What was the role of the papiani-panamacani?
They sold herbs and remedies and gave medical advice
Why can pre-Hispanic medicine be considered both religious and natural?
Because it combined rituals, prayers, and sacrifices with natural remedies from plants, animals, and minerals.
How did Mayan healing rituals help restore balance to the sick person and the community?
They combined plant medicines, prayers, confessions, offerings, purification rituals, and mystical trances to restore bodily and spiritual balance.
Why was Inca medicine well organized?
Because they classified diseases and had specialized doctors and treatments for each one.
Mention one medicinal plants used by the Incas, Mayas or Aztecs and their uses.
answers can vary
Why were antivenoms commonly used in Aztec medicine?
Because there were many snakes and poisonous animals in the region