Pediatric endocrine diseases in pre-Hispanic Aztecs

Area of Science:

• Ethnohistory
• Medical History
• Anthropology

Background:

• Aztec medical knowledge has roots in Olmec, Teotihuacan, and Toltec civilizations.
• Existing historical codices offer fragmented and varied perspectives on Aztec medicine.

Observation:

• Analysis of primary sources reveals distinct approaches to documenting Aztec medicine.
• Sources like Sahagún's codices blend naturalism and religion, while Hernández's work is naturalistic but error-prone.
• Badiano's codex attempts to align Aztec practices with Roman medicine, and Ruiz de Alarcón includes significant magical elements.

Findings:

• The Aztecs prioritized monitoring child growth as a reflection of holistic well-being (body and soul).
• Detailed descriptions of pubertal development stages were documented.
• Specific treatments for pediatric thyroid diseases, including hypothyroidism and goiter, were established.

Implications:

• This study highlights the complexity and diversity of Aztec medical understanding.
• The findings underscore the importance of critical analysis when interpreting historical medical texts.
• Understanding Aztec pediatric endocrinology offers insights into pre-Columbian health practices.