History of Latin American Dermatology

Notes on the History of Dermatology in Paraguayof being attacked, no cuts are ever made; in lesser cases they extract it after anesthesizingit with tobacco or suffocate it by means of the ground bark of Ihvaika (Ocotea), or anothersubstance of analogous effect, later taking out the larva by applying pressure.Insect repellents like the Paraih (Picrasma palo-amargo) are mentioned, the Paraihvaof the northeast (Simaruba versicolor), and those of the north (Simaruba, Simaba, Quassia).Another powerful insect repellent is the Gwembé, designating with this name two orthree closely-related species of large Philodendrons, also known as Embe, Aimbe, Guembepi(Ph. bipinnatifidum, Ph. lundii, Ph. lubium and possibly another), the best means ofdefense against piques or nigua (Tunga penetrans).For reptile bites, the remedies used by the Guaraní correspond to four differentcategories, although some could belong to two or three categories at once. The firstaimed to eliminate the venom, the second to neutralize it, the third to maintain vitality,and the fourth to prevent secondary accidents and general infection. Cited are: the applicationof mud to the poisonous bites, scarified suction cups, and cauterization, but notscalding. The most generalized was the sweating procedure. Neutralization was attemptedin many ways, such as the employment of Yahape (Kullinga adorata), the Cyperaceaewhich in Paraguay is called Kaapi-Kati-payé; the effect was possibly morecarminative. More effective neutralizers were tobacco, in application of heated leaf tosweat; the Caapiã (Dorstenia) with the external application of the juice or the internal ofthe cold infusion of the ground root; cataplasms with manioc (the grated raw root).It is also necessary to mention a fasting person’s saliva applied to the wound, keepingit wet. Used as a disinfectant was the essence of incense (Myrocarpus frondosus); on theskin, of the Guariva fruit (Campomanesia guavira and related species); and among thebest are the Ihsihpo Kati or Milhombres (Aristolochia brasiliensis, Ar. triangularis),which keeps strength up, combating paralysis. The true Yahape (Kyllinga), a strongcarminative, falls into the same category.The Guaraní had a knowledge of immunization through prior inoculation. They hadthemselves bitten by less poisonous species, like the ñakanina snake, so any potentialbites by more dangerous snakes would not be fatal 6 .The handling of injuries; gangrene, disinfectionThe Guaraní, who lived integrated with nature and who went to war in specific circumstances,suffered all kinds of skin lesions. Bandages were made with cotton fabrics.The cleansing of new wounds was only rarely practiced and, according to the country orregion, with boiled water. Sometimes it was done with certain oils such as that of karaiva,distilled by a tree of the northeast, which also works against tumors in general.The most often employed medication was the essence of the myrocarpus, that is tosay, the resin of incense, obtained by boiling or infusion in hot or cold water of Myrocarpusfrondosus or of the related species known as Kavureih or Kavureihva. Alsoamong the most used was Mboichini-Ka’a, called by many “holy herb” (Baccharis vulnerariaBacker) whose green leaves were applied on wounds.They knew what was necessary for the application of topical medication according towhich part of the body had been injured. For the head, in case of contusion or a cut, theyturned to Chupad oil as an unbeatable medicine. The injured person would be placed ina hammock so that the head remained much higher than the body. For the eyes, the juiceof Kupaihra, by decoction and mixed with albumin from the white of birds’ eggs. For footinjuries, Chupad added to the balsam or resin of incense. The essential-oil resins of variousspecies of Icica, Myrocarpus, Myroxylon, Protium and other similar species substitutedfor incense and for Chupad where these trees were scarce. They appealed to theseoleoresins for the wounds not to leave any scars. The procedure was also used to eliminatethe traces of scarifications.293