Medicine and Health (American Indian Contributions to the World)

Medicine and Health covers the many contributions American Indians have made to the world in these areas. Early Native peoples learned which plants and animals provided them with the best nutrition. They invented treatments for their illnesses, performed operations on people-including brain surgery and skin grafts-and used antiseptics to prevent infection. In many ways, their medical and health practices were ahead of those of Europeans when settlers first came to the Americas. These ancient American Indian medical discoveries continue to save lives today Health and nutrition Personal hygiene Disease and disease prevention Plant medicines of North America Plant medicines of Mesoamerica Plant medicines of South America and the Circum-Caribbean Surgery and wound treatment Other medical treatments Dentistry Medicine for mind and body. Presents a comprehensive study of the Native American contributions in the area of medicine and health, and provides information on personal hygiene, disease prevention, dentistry, herbal medications, and more