Nineteenth century zootherapy in Benedictine monasteries of Brazil

Abstract

Research on the past use of animals in medicine, particularly in Brazil, is still scarce. This work aimed to perform a dialogical analysis of information retrieved from historical documents composed in the nineteenth century about the therapeutic use of animal species in Benedictine monasteries in Brazil and their contemporary medicinal applications. Cross-referencing of seven written codices from the nineteenth century Benedictine monasteries infi rmaries was performed for taxonomic identifi cation and with therapeutic indications. Animal species provided 13 zootherapeutic resources, which were related to 17 therapeutic indications. Insects, birds and mammals concentrated the greatest number of pharmaceutical actions (37%, 32% and 16% of the therapeutic indications). Medicinal animals used in the past are species commonly applied in the European medicine over centuries. This reveals that the practiced medicine in Benedictine monasteries was infl uenced by medical concepts from Europe. Also, it shows that still today this European medicine is the basis of therapeutic practice. Such research is essential for a better scientifi c understanding of the history of medicine, focusing on how different cultures have contributed to the actual therapeutic practice. In this way it is possible to trace a history zootherapy in Brazil, demonstrating the persistence of their use over the time.

Directions In Brazilian Ethnobiology

“…Historical ethnobiology is another growing field of research in Brazil that examines the historical interactions between human societies and the natural world, focusing on using and managing natural resources (e.g., Medeiros 2020;Medeiros and Alves 2020). This area provides valuable insights into contemporary environmental and cultural issues and can inform efforts to promote sustainable and equitable use of natural resources.…”

Brazilian Environment and Plants as Seen by Japanese Eyes Two Hundred and Twenty Years Ago

“…The contribution of historical documents, both via written sources and iconography, provides valuable ethnobotanical information about the plants described [ 15 ], but also about the observers who contributed to science and sometimes remained suppressed in history, such as female naturalists [ 16 ]. The approaches to the information on historical documents can be guided by a search about a given species (in most cases) or themes, or even analyzing the contents of a document to infer about plants [ 17 ] and are not restricted to the plant scope (e.g., [ 18 ]), including important registers about landscape changes [ 19 ].…”

Ethnozoological uses of wildlife species among the Iraqw people of Mbulu District, Northern Tanzania

“…In Brazil the uses of wild fauna increase yearly due to population increase leading into increased demand to cater for day to day social activities [10]. Other experience can be drawn from Karbi, North-east India where the use of animal and animals' organ has been reported to treat their illness such as tuberculosis, gastrointestinal infection, coughing, pneumonia and diarrhea [11]. Sea turtles were also reported to be used as food by human which has increased its demand as a result the species has become among the endangered species as well as being listed as critically endangered by IUCN red list species [12].…”