The Alaskan Eskimo

Description: 

Eskimos living in isolated areas that have little contact with white people are relatively free from disease. Diseases are much more prevalent among Eskimos living near mining camps, whaling stations, and trading posts. Children's diseases and epidemics are particularly disastrous. Alleviating sickness and preventing diseases are the responsibility of shamans. Housing has poor ventilation; toilet articles are unknown except to a few who have come under the influence of a missionary or school teacher. Bathing is a custom not yet adopted. Sanitation is poor. Waste and garbage are deposited wherever convenient. Dead bodies are occasionally placed in crevices with stones thrown upon them or buried partially underground. List of 281 ailments treated shows prevalence of eye diseases, respiratory tract diseases, and tuberculosis.

People: 
Alaska Native, Eskimo
Location Description: 

Alaska AK

Protocol: 
UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center Public Access
Community: 
UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center
Category: 
Death, Diseases, Miscellaneous, Tribal Actions
Original Date: 
1914
Creator: 
Watkins, J.A.
Language: 
English
Rights: 
Records indicate that the UNM Health Sciences Library owns a copy of this item, but there may be a need to clear rights with a copyright holder prior to sharing with the public.
Source: 
Proc L9Th Int Conf Américanistes; Watkins, JA. The Alaskan Eskimo: the prevalence of disease and the sanitary conditions of the villages along the Arctic coast. Am JPH 1914; 4:643-48.
Identifier: 
9900599
Subject: 
Eye Disease, Housing, Mortuary Practices, Respiratory Tract Disease, Sanitation, Statistics, Tuberculosis
Type: 
Monograph