Beliefs and behaviour in disease

Isolated tribal communities depend on the resources available where they live and on knowledge to use them well, which is passed on by education and training in cultural skills. Anthropological studies have recorded the successful adaptations achieved in some societies. This paper discusses notions akin to those of contagion and infection as they are understood by people in a community in New Guinea. Do they show in these ideas the accurate observation and deduction apparent in their other adaptive achievements? The people have approved patterns for behaviour to maintain health and heal illness. Is the behaviour seen to be effective by them? It may not seem so to the outside medical observer but it is not rejected by the people, who must use it in coping self-reliantly with their circumstances. The question of prognosis is discussed from their point of view so as to show problems which they face in responding to opportunities of modern medical care and in judging the efficacy of treatment.