Bull. Ind. lnst, Hist. Mad. Vol. XIX. pp. 21 to 32

CHENCHU FOLK MEDICINE

BRIAN MORRIS*

ABSTRACT

The paper outlines the medical practices of the Chenchus, a

lrilal community of Andhra Pradesh, Drawing on earlier published

materitrl. and on the author's own research studies in the Achampet

and Mannanur forests, it discusses the various folk remedies employed

by the Chenchus in the treatment of a variety of ailments. Some twenty

four conditions and their herbal remedies are discussed. The paper

concludes with a discussion of hot and cold symbolism of the

Chenchus, their spirit healing and the relation of the Chenchus to

biomedicine.

The Chenchus of Andhra Pradeshare a group of Telugu-speaking peo-ple who inhabit the forested hills ofthe Nallamalai range, on both sidesof the Krishna river, now a designa-ted tiger sanctuary. Numbering about18 thousand individuals, they indi-cate a diverse range of settlementpatterns and economic activities.Many Chenchus in theAcharnpet andAmrabad districts work as agricultu-ral labourers within multi-caste vil-lages, while in the interior forestareas the majority of Chenchus stillengage in hunting, subsistence food

gathering and the collection of minorforest produce, such as soapnuts,gum, honey and various medicinalplants. Until the opening-up of theKrishna Valley during the last fourdecades, the Chenchus had very littlecontact with the outside world,although they were by no meansisolated. As with tribal cultures else-where the health-care system of theChenchus combines empirical andmagico-religious aspects, and as manylive in remote settlements, they arestill largely dependent on their ownskills for the diagnosis and treatment

* Department of Social Anth. opoloqy, Goldsmith's College. University of London.

22

of diseases. No detailed studies haveyet been made on Chenchu ethno-medicine, apart from the preliminarysurveys made by Haimendorf (1943) L

in his pioneering ethnographic study,and by Hemalatha and Reddy (1982)2and Rao (1982)3 in the Nallamalaifoothills. The present paper is basedon an extended tour of ten settle-ments in the Achampet and Manna-nur forests, and incorporates data onfolk remedies collected mainly in theChenchu settlements at Chenchugu-dam, Banala, Farahabad and Macha-ram. For completeness the paperincorporates the curative methodsdenoted by the earlier observers.

FOLK REMEDIES

FeverThe roots of teieti {Boressus

tlabellifer), dried ginger, sonti (Zingi-ber otticinete), black pepper, miryalu(Piper nigrum) and Bishops Weed,vama (Trachyspermum ammi) aregrounded together, and the powdertaken internally. A decoction ofmargosa bark (MeUa azadirachta),the leaves of nelavemu (AnrJrogra-phis paniculata) and vishaboddhi(Sida acuta) is also used. Apowder prepared from the burnt hamof a deer, sundi bhasmamu is mixedwith hot water and taken internally.Both Haimendorf and Ramana Raorecorded that abstention from food isoften undertaken, and a decoction ofdried ginger, black pepper, garlic,

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist, Med. Vol. XIX

jaggeryand sarsaparilla [He mide s-mus indicus) is given to the patient.Hemidesmus, along with Trechvs-permum and Andrographis are com-monly used in Ayurveda to treatfevers, and it is of interest that theChenchus use the term jerem torefer to fevers-a term of Sanskritderivation. Hemalatha and Reddynote that if the fever does not res-pond to treatment, then it is believedto be due to fright or to sorcery ofevil spirits. Incantations then haveto be undertaken.

For malarial fever (sali ierem ) aremedy is prepared from garlic, velluli(Allium sativum), black pepper. andthe leaves of chinn a mulepe (Sola-num sp,"),

Colds and Cough (daggu)A common remedy for coughs is

prepared from the leaves and nuts ofpen jittu (Marsdenia tenecissime) andthe fruits of ogal (Fagopyrum escu-lentum) and tandra (Terminalia bele-rica). A powder is prepared andtaken with honey. Rao records alsothe chewing of 'Recemosus' -phi IIitaga (Asparagus recemosus}, Hema-lath a and Reddy noted the taking ofturmeric water, and for severe colds,an infusion made from the charredpowder of a peacock's leg. The juiceof the burnt leaves of jilledu (Calo-tropis gigantea) is poured into thenoses of young children with a cold

* Probably Pinna-Mulaka (Solanum Xanthocarpum).

Chenchu Folk Medicine -8. Morris

but often they do not bother abouta running nose.

The Chenchus distinguish betweendry (puti) and wet (temada) coughs,but remedies seem to apply to both.The commonest remedy is the simplechewing of salt and/or pepper. Thefruit of kara, the myrobalan (Fermi-netie chebule) is also chewed, thoughit may be ground into powder andtaken internally. A preparation madefrom the nutmeg, jaji ( Mvristicefragrans), vems (Trachyspermumammi), chinna mu/aga (So/anumsp.)and cardamom, y etuk uru (E/attariacardamomum) is taken as a hot infu-sion. An infusion of the bark ofkol emukbi (Wrightia tomentuse) isalso used for coughs. Hemalatha andReddy recorded that the juice of tuiesi(Ocimum sanctum) is mixed withturmeric, pesup u (Curcuma Ion qe)and after heating, is given. Bothplants are widely employed in Avur-vedic medicine.

Whooping CoughThis ailment does not seem to be

distinguished by the Chenchus fromother coughs (both referred to asdaggu) but Hernalath a and Reddyrecorded that a remedy is prepared bygrinding musk, ox-gall, the leaves ofsadapaku (aut a graveo/ens), jutta-paku {Asclepius ethinata) and cac-tus-probably nagaje mudu (Opuntiadi.Ienii) and given after heating.Incantations accompany this remedy,and the nut and fibre of kanuga

23(Pongamia g/abra) is tied around thepatients' neck as protective medicine.

Headache (thala noppi)Remedies for headaches usually

take the form of warm poulticesplaced on the head. The leaves ofnagaru (Premna tomentose}; thepounded leaves of vavi/i (Vitexnegundo) and the paste of dried ginger,sonti (Zingiber officina/e) are note-worthy. Rao records a warm poulticemade from the leaf of a/antaku (un-identified), while Hemalatha andReddy recorded a paste preparedfrom the leaves of nelev emu (Andre-graphis peniculete ), mustard seeds.pepper, and a wild variety of garlicontithellapava (possibly Urginea SP.)1these are applied to the patients'forehead. The leaves of sunke se-rsmu (De/onix e/ata) is used similarly.For a mild headache incantations maybe performed.

But severe headaches may betreated by burning of the painful area.The burning is dona either with acharred cloth (milk or oil being placedon the site of the pain) or by theapplication of a burnt twig. The stemof the creeper pa!atiga (Crypto/episbucheneni ), which is applied likesealing wax, is often used for thepurpose. As Haimendorf long agorecorded, this form of treatment iswidespread in Telugu region, and isnot only used for headaches but formany other forms of internal painsand aches - twisted ankle, chest

24

pains during fever, rheumatic pains.As he writes 'the Chenchus have greatfaith in this remedy' (1943 : 151).

Abdominal Pains (kadupu noppi)A preparation made from vama

(Trachysparmum ammi), and driedginger, sonti (Zingiber officinale) istaken internally. Similar remediesare made from the ground root oftangedu (Cassia auriculata) and blackpepper, miriyalu (Piper niqrum), andthe roots of podapatri (Gymnemasvlvestre ) and Chiruboddi (Cissem-pe los pareira) respectively. All aretaken as an infusion from the mixed,pounded ingredients. Flatulence isrelieved by drinking an infusion ofblack pepper, ginger root and theground bark of juturuga (unidenti-fied). Rao notes that abdominalpains are treated by taking vama withsalt, or chilli seeds, mirapa (Capsi-cum annuum) mixed with hot water.Perhaps, he suggests, this induces amotion, and thus relieves the pain.Flatulence he suggests is relieved bythe drinking of 'Tekke larn juice', te k-kolamu (Clerodendrum phlornidis).

The treatment of vomiting (van-thi) seems to be widely administeredby the taking of the burnt ashes ofpeacock feathers and the leaves ofmari (Ficus bengalensis), mixed withhoney.

Diarrhoea and loose motions(betuoetute ) me treated by aninfusion of the pounded bark of

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XIX

naramamidi (Polyalthia congifolia),while Hemalatha & Reddy noted alsothat children are given an infusionof the wild grass parpatakamu(unidentified). Dysentery (chimubi-tika) is treated with a paste preparedfrom grinding the leaves of benkethut-tara (Triumtette rhomboidee ) andtangedu (Cassia auriculata). Bothplants have astringent properties.By contrast constipation is treatedwith any of the following remedies:vama with salt; a mixture of cowurine and castor oil (Ricinus com-munis): the juice of the Soapnut,kunkudu (Sapindus tritotistus ); theleaf of senna, (Cassia angustifol ia)which has purgative properties.

Menstrual PainsA decoction of the leaves of

nelagodimi (Sicastemma littorala),pepper, and the bulb of a wild garlicis taken with [aqqerv.

ChildbirthG. P. Reddy (1961)4 noted that

shortly after birth, the mother is givena decoction (kashayam), preparedfrom boiling the leaves of certaintrees such as vepachakka, the neemtree (Azadirachta indica) and nela-vemu (Andrographis paniculata)along with garlic and pepper. Womenof a settlement near Farahabadindicated that, on the third day afterbirth, the mother is given an infusionconsisting of the pounded barks ofthe following trees, kunghu

Chenchu Folk Medicine-B. Morris

(Euonymus atropurpureus), kunkudu(Sapindus tritotietus), kanuga (Pon-gamia glabra) and neelamari (pro-bably Ficus bengalensis), togetherwith the roots of an unidentifiedplant, burajemadi. Pregnant womenwere said to avoid the meat of thewild boar.

To effect an abortion the Chenchususe papai fruit (Carica papaya) andasafoetida (Ferula toetide), the lattera widely used aromatic herb.

AphrodisiacsThe Chenchus have strong beliefs

about the efficacy of certain rootsand leaves as aphrodisiacs. Thereare certain Chenchu herbalists whohave a wide reputation for treatingimpotency in men. It is of interestthat six out of the eleven herbsdescribed to GP Reddy (1961)4were aphrodisiacs. The commonestremedy used for this purpose is thetuber of an unidentified herb,motesiri, which is boiled in milk, thendried and powdered and eaten dailyto increase potency. Interestinglyonions, ulli ( Allium cepa) are believedto increase potency, while garlicvelluti (Allium setivum ) is thoughtto reduce potency - though both herbsbelong to the same genus. Thefollowing plants are used as aphro-disiacs; the bark of ratnapushyar(possibly Poinciana p u'cherrirn ), thenutmeg [s]! (Myristica treqrens ),cardamom yalukuru (Elettaria car-ilemomum ), leaves of mace, japathri

25

(Cinoem.rnum iners ), and J coconutAll are ground to powder and t skc nwith sugar. Of the six plants notedby Reddy, only one can be tentrtivetvidentified, nemali (Holoptelis inn-grifolia). Rao records that ihetuberous root of phillitaga (Aspara-gus recemosus ) is believed to makea man impotent. Barrenness in womenis treated with the leaves of puli-chime (Oxalis cornicutete ) and gogu(Salvadora persice ),

Both Rao and Reddy stressed thatknowledge of aphrodisiacs is largelyconfined to older people, and thatremedies are often obtained fromitinerant medicants. To guaranteeaffection on the part of one's spouse'secret medicines (Marugu mandulu)may be employed.

Venereal Diseases (sukharoqarn)It has been suggested that the

incidence of venereal disease amongthe Chenchus has increased in recentyears, particularly since the openingof a road from Mannanur to Srisailamin 1958. This led to illicit sexualrelations between labourers from theplains and Chenchu women. Raosuggested that the Chenchus did nothave any effective remedy for theseailments, and what herbal remediesthey did have were ineffective. He no-ted however that syphi Iis was treatedwith the juice of the creeper donda(Co ccinie indica or Momordica mono-de/phial, the affected lymph glandbeing burned with Am srsnthus spi-

25

nosus roasted with oil. For gonorr-hoea a powder was prepared from thebark of te lletusi (tulasi) (Ocimumsanctum), and garugu (Garuga pin-nata), nutmeg and cardamom, andthis taken internally by the patientwith sugar. As a treatment forgeneral urinary infections, especiallyhaematuria, Rao notes that theChenchus use the sediment derivedfrom the boiled leaves of Menisper-mum hi' sutum.

Skin InfectionsScabies referred to as either

pundu (ulcer) or gaji (itch) is verycommon among the Chenchus. parti-cularly children. There are two mainremedies. One involved mixing theleaves of tenqedu (Cassia auriculata)with sulphur powder bought locally;the other the grinding and mixingtogether of the bark of gumpena(Lennee corornendelice } and theleaves of biludu (Chloroxylon swie-tenia) and naling (HibiSCUS canna-birus ). Both remedies were appliedexternally. Reddy writes of netieve.being powdered and mixed with oiland used as an application for skindiseases. Rao suggested that asscabies seemed to be so widespread-especially among children - that theyhad no effective remedy, but recordsthat the roots of cbitremutem (Plum-bago zey/anica) are cooked withjawar (Sorghum) seeds. and thedecoction drunk. Hernalatha andReddy noted that the inner part atche dupucche fruil (Citrutio s cococvn-

Bull. Ind. In st. Hist. Med. Vol. XIX

this) is used as an external applicationfor itch ar.d other skin infections.Ringworm {chetidt } is treated withthe juice of bs rme or verripucha.

SmallpoxAs with other communities in

South India the Che nchus associatesmallpox with various lema Ie deities,and the disease is 0119n referred toas ammathalli or Peddeme (big mot-her). There ore sever rl other villagedeities. Lingamma. Ba/amma andYellamma and other writers havementioned Poleramma and Maisammaas being causative agents of thisdisease. No medicines are usuallygiven, although Hemalatha and Reddynoted that when the blisters appears apaste prepared by grinding neemIeaves. turmeric and s.Jt is applied tothe body, and a head-bath given tothe patient. Sacrificial offerings tothese deities are made in the Marchfestivities.

Rheumatic Pains

General aches and pains are ref-erred to by the Chenchus as noppuluor noppi and then tend to be locali-sed, e.g. kite noppulu (joint pains),thala noppi (headache). For generalbody pains the leaves of wuruga(Heliotropium indica) and tangedu(Cassia eurioulet s) are heated onstones and applied as a compact tothe aching parts. Aching joints aretreated in the same fashion, as wellas with an oil extracted from the seedsof [eedi, the cashew nut (Anacardium

Chenchu Folk Medicine -B. Morris

occidentale). For Rheumatic painsand backache the oil of valkadola(Antieris toxicaria) is used. An infu-sion made from the leaves of maidaku(Lawsonia inermis ), vama. and cuminseed, jJelikara (Cuminum cyminum),is also noted as a remedy for rheu-matism. Rao notes the juice ofCucumis colocy nthe s leaves, and apaste obtained from the boiled rootsof chitramulam (Plumbago zeylanica)or erra chitremul sm (P. rosee) areapplied over the affected joints andalso used as a remedy for rheumaticpains. For sprains (Benuku} the fibreof the creeper marapudunara (Bauhiniavehtii) is bound around the sprainedarea for three or four days as a relief,

Bone FracturesInformants suggested that, frac-

tures were invariably treated by trans-portinq the patient to a local hospital.but Hemalatha & Reddy recorded thata paste prepared by grinding the barkof gumpena (Lannea coromendetice) ,mentbutu (Trigonella foenum-grae-cum). and turmeric is applied to theaffected part which h. tied with bam-boo slats.

Roundworms/TapewormsRao writes that worm infections

are rare among the Chenchus. How-ever, if they are infected they eat theleaf or take the juice of the ornamen-tal tree devadri (Cedrus doodere),which expels the worms. For anae-mia, the boiled leaf of mund/a gebbi(Barleria orionitis ), which is a good

27

source of iron, is taken. Hemalathaand Reddy recorded that a powderprepared by pounding the seeds ofmoduga (Butes monosperma) isgiven as a worm remedy.

Wounds and BurnsAll observers have noted the

widespread use among the Chenchusof the pounded bark of gumpena(Lannea coro mendelice ) as a com-

pact to stop bleeding and infection inwounds (pundulu). It is thought tohave 'disinfectant' properties, Theleaves of tuma (Acacia arabica) andturmeric paste is also used as awound dressing, (!IS is the soft portionof bamboo. For burns (kalindi) theleaves of kolemuke are boiled, andmixed with coconut oil. and applied asa remedy. Hairnendorf notes (1943:152) that serious wounds are treatedwith a paste of saffron mixed with thecrushed leaves of Cloroxv lon swie-tenia. It is applied thickly over thewound, and seems to contain heali ngproperties.

Heart Ailments (gunde noppi)The fruit of kara (Terminalla

cbeb ule), was ground into powder,end taken internally.

Snake/Scorpion BiteAlthough Rao suggests that there

are no effective remedies for snakebite, Hemalatha and Reddy recordedthat the juice of the leaves of thumrni(Leucas espere) is poured into thenose, and that a paste made from the

28

bark of nagamusti (Strychnos colu-mbrina) is also given. lncentstionsover the patients are often made. Raonotes that scorpion bites are success-fully treated with the oil derived fromthe Chenchu's Iavourite food, themonitor lizard. He noted also theherb chits (Strychnos potatorum)being used. Wounds sustained thro-ugh a dog bite are treated byapplica-tions of charcoal powder and na/leru(Vitis quadrangu/aris) or the paste ofpanasa (Artocarpus integrifo/ia).

ToothacheRao recorded that the seeds of

nelamulaga (Solanum jacquinii) areheated in a bamboo tube, and thesmoke inhaled. It is believed thatthis will cause the 'worms' to comeout of the tooth. The seeds of theallied species, the wild brinjal, chel-/amu/aga (So/anum xanthocarpum)is applied to an affected tooth.

Sore Eyes (kanti kiwachindi)The seeds of kanuga (Pongamia

g/abra) is rubbed on stones and thelatex applied to the eyes. Human urineis also used to soften the pus in con-junctivitis. Other remedies include:the powder of the creeper Roxburgiaglorioseides, which is apt to be pain-ful, the application of the milky juiceof a Ficus sp, and a fomentation oftamarind leaf, and the juice extractedfrom the leaves of donda ( Coccinieindica). With respect ro children amixture of castor oil. mother'S milkand a small quantity of turmericpaste is applied to the effected eyes.

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XIX

Epilepsy and FitsTo restore consciousness caused

by epilepsy or fits a number of reme-dies are applied to the nose-a leafinfusion of magabeera (Amisometo smsleberice} with pepper, the heatedleaves of betel and kada [emudu )Euphorbia tirucetti ), an ointmentmade from gingellv oil. and a snuffmade from the Indian geranium areamong those mentioned. As fits(soma) are believed to be due to evilspirits. incantations are also perfor-med.

JaundiceA paste of leaves from nelsvusiri

(Phyllanthus niruri) is given with milkor buttermilk. Hemalatha and Reddyalso recorded that a mark (rakshale-yuta) is made on the wrist in theform of fine metals (panchacoha) andcopper sulphate (mailthutham).

Vitiligo (kristaverdi)The roots of ed : vi tu tesi ( Oci-

mum cerium}, nee/amari (Ficus ben-galensis. and manchi dondo [Coc-cinia indica), and the bark of visha-musti (Strychnos nux-vomica). muc-hitanki (Drospyros montana) anddev ederu (Cedrus deodara) are poun-ded together, and the resultant pow-

. der infused and applied to the skin.Leprosy pedarogum (big disease) wasnot mentioned by the informants.

Boils (Kuruou)A paste prepared from the ground

leaves of badisa (Erv thrine verie-

Chenchu Folk Medicine-B. Morris

gata), turmeric and salt is applied tothe boils. Heated clay may also beused.

Earache (chavu noppi)Human milk mixed with the soft

stem of veduru (Bemboose bembos)and warmed on the fire, is appliedexternally to the ear. Hemalatha andReddy noted, the juice of unidentifiedplant kamma ganjera is used in asimilar manner.

DISCUSSIONAlthough the Chenchus have his-

torically been associated with ratherremote forests and until recently hadlittle contact with the outside world,they have nevertheless long been intouch with this world-both throughthe marketing of minor forest produceand through the Chenchu s associa-tion with the Srisailam temple. Theircthnomedicine reflects this long his-torical contact, even if it was inter-mittent and tenuous, for much oftheir folk nomenclature, both interms of disease categories and intheir plant names, reflects a Sanskri-tic influence. For example the termnaling, which refers to Hibiscuscannabin us, probably derives fromthe sanskrit nali, while va/kadola(,t.ntiaris toxicerie] is derived fromvalkala. Similarly many disease con-cepts indicate the influence of thewider culture. The use of burningas a remedy for headaches and rheu-matic pains, also shows similaritywith the belief systems of suiroun-

29ding cultures, and a pervasive hot/cold symbolism is evident among theChenchus - as it is among manyother cultures. There is a belief thatcertain foods are heat producing, andby exhaustinq the body system, makethe person prone to disease. Coldproducing foods, on the other handcool the body, and increase energy,but they are not however suitable forpersons suffering from colds orcoughs. A resume of this hot/colddictotomy is given below:

ColdProducingFoods:RagiButtermilkCucumbersGourdsTomatoesMonitor lizardPorcupineFish

HeatProducingFoods:BrinjalChilliesCannabisDeerNilgaiElk

It was said by one informant thatheat 'will cause many diseases'.

In discussions with Avurvadicdoctors attached to the Tribal WelfareMobile Medical Unit the main ail-ments afflicting the Chenchus are asfollows: malnutrition, scabies, tub3r·culosis, malaria. wounds and cuts.fever, coughs and colds, seasoneddiarrhoea i dysentery and rheumaticpains. Although malaria was form-erly 'rampant' in the Nallarnalai for·ests it is now much lass prevalent

30

though still a serious problem in somevillages. Fevers, scabies and rheu-matic pains were mentioned by mostChenchus, and during tha winterDecember - January. seasonal foodshortaqes often become acute. In hisreport on the nutritional status of theChenchus 0 R Pratap (1973)5 stres-sed the importance of foraging andhunting in shaping the Chenchu diet,the wide seasonal variations in thecaloric and protein intake, and thefact that during the rains their caloricintake was 39% deficient. At othertimes their diet was better than theaverage Indian diet, though there wasa deficiency of Vitamin A, fats andcalcium. The nutritional status ofchildren under five, and of pregnantand lactating mothers, he describedas serious. Besides the ailment notedabove Pratap" also noted eye infec-tions, and constipation, and sugges-ted that venereal diseases were verycommon. Leprosy was rare.

Much of the folk remedies des-cribed above belong to what ArthurKleinman (1980) r. has described as the'popular' sector of a health care sys-tem, the beliefs and therapies sharedby members of a community. Thusmuch therapy among the Chenchusis done by self-medication. or treat-ment by knowledgeable herbalistswithin the community. Often suchherbalists establish for themselves areputation within a locality. and arevisited also by non-Chenchus seekingtherapy, to consult them from afar.

Bull. Ind. tnst, Hist. Med, Vol. XIX

especially high caste people seekinga cure for Vitiligo. But the twoother sectors of Chenchu health careare also irnportant - the folk and pro-fessional-though few research stud-ies have been mace on these aspectsof Chenchu ethnomedicine.

The practical remedies mentionedabove are utilised for curing externalinjuries and for the treatment of awide variety of ailments. But if anillness is of a chronic nature or doesnot respond to these empirical reme-dies, then its cause may be attributedto the malevolence of a diety or theangered jiv (soul) of a deceasedrelative. During a serious illnesstherefore, a divinatory rite may beconducted, to ascertain which deityis responsible for the patients condi-tion. Both women and men act asdiviners, and as Haimendorf writes,divination is employed for no otherpurposes than the curing of sicknessor speeding the deliverv of a child(1943:200). Chenchus belief that thespirits of deceased relatives wish tobe remembered by food offerings, andthat if this is neglected. then themalevolent ghost {dev am ) will inflictmisfortune on his or her kin. Propi-tiations to deities or dece ised rela-tives, in the form of curing rites, aretherefore an essential aspect ofChenchu medical practices But ifan illness does not respond to folkremedies or supernatural appeal,then evil magic may be suspectedalthough as Hairnendo rf suggests,

Chench u Fa, k Medicine-B. Morris

the Chenchus conception of thistends to be somewhat vague. TheChenchu medicine thus implies botha personalistic and a naturalistic dis-ease etiology (Foster and Anderson1978)1. The use of charms, incanta-tions and shamanistic seances (ori-kaf) i, therefore an important aspectof Chenchu medical practices. Reddy(1961) mentions several medicinesthat are used to ward-off malevolentspirits, and the use of turmeric as aprotection against the 'evil eye'.

But recourse is also made by theChenchu to folk hea lers outside thecommunity. They often purchasepeddamandu (big medicine) for feversand other ailments, and balinta(childbirth) medicines from wandering

Disease(Sanskrit)abhigatkasavatashulanetrecherm e ragajwsrswasakama sbu!e

English

31

mandulas or bhatraj traders. OtherChenchu may consult Yerukulas - atribal community who are reputed tobe fortune tellers.

Towards professional medicinethe Chenchus have no marked aversion,although they tend to consult allopa-thic and Ayurvedic mainly withrespect to serious or chronic ailments.Chenchus from the more remoteforests not infrequently attend themobile medical units at Mannanurand Kondanagula, where they receivetreatment from Avurvedic doctors.A typical day's treatment at one suchmobile dispensary run by the TribalWelfare Department (January 1986)was as follows:

woundscoughsrheumatic painseye ailmentsscabies/skin infectionfeverasthma/open coughear infection

Number of PatientsTreated

24

1161224

Total 32

The ailments treated correspond to those frequently mentioned by theforest Chenchus themselves - scabies, coughs, fevers, and rheumatic pains,

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSI am grateful to Goldsmith's College, University of London, the Irwin Fund

and Nuffield Foundation for supporting my research studies in India, and toMr. C. I<ondiah, Dr, S. Sridhar. Or. V. K. Sastry, Dr. P. Chandra Shekar,Mr. Mchan Rao and Mr. Shaik Imam for help and support in Andhra Pradesh.

32 Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XI X

REFERENCES

1. Foster G. M. & B. G. Anderson 1978 Medical Anthropology, New YorkFurer-Haimendorf C. Von 1943 The Chenchus : Jungle Folk of the Deccan,London, MacMillan.

2. Hemalatha P. & B. V. Subba Reddy 1982 The Folk Medical Practices amonga Tribe of Andhra Pradesh, Bulletin Ind. Inst. History of Medicine 12:39-44.

3. Rao, V. V. Ramana 1982 Traditional Medicines of Chenchus,Tribal Research Inst. Hyderabad.

4. Reddy G. P. 1961 The Chenchus : A Scheduled Tribe of AndhraPradesh. Census of India 1961, Vol. 1, Part V-B (IV),Ministry of Home Affairs.

5. Pratap D. R. 1973 The Dietary Habits and Nutrition Status of the Chenchus,Research paper No.9 Tribal Research Inst. Hyderabad.

6. Kleinman A. 1980 Patients and Healers in the Context of Culture,Berkeley, Univ. California Press.

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