The body mechanical: Building a caring community, crafting a functioning body.

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Chronic Illness Studies
• Anthropology of the Body

Background:

• Hansen's disease (leprosy) treatment advances in mid-20th century Taiwan led to patients losing their established sick role.
• Lingering, evolving symptoms created a liminal state for patients, necessitating the formation of new social roles.
• Existing sociological research has not fully explored the body experiences and role-finding processes of patients in such ambiguous situations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how Hansen's disease patients navigate and establish alternative sick roles post-treatment.
• To examine the role of body techniques and community in managing chronic illness and redefining patienthood.
• To contribute to the understanding of active patienthood through the concept of the 'body mechanical'.

Main Methods:

• Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted with Hansen's disease patients in Taiwan.
• Analysis focused on patient-developed body techniques and their relationship with community membership.
• Exploration of shared practices of re-embodiment and sociality.

Main Results:

• Patients collectively developed specific body techniques, fostering a sense of shared experience and mutual validation of sickness.
• These techniques facilitated the management of illness and the legitimization of ongoing symptoms within a patient community.
• An alternative sick role was collectively acquired through practices centered on fixing, trials, mending, and functionality.

Conclusions:

• Hansen's disease patients can actively construct alternative sick roles by leveraging community and embodied practices.
• The concept of the 'body mechanical' offers a new framework for understanding active patienthood in chronic illness.
• Sociality and shared bodily experiences are crucial for managing illness and redefining identity when a traditional sick role is lost.