Indian indigenous healers

Indian perceptions of the practices of their indigenous healers and of doctors were investigated by interviewing 86 outpatients or their accompanying family member from a local psychiatric hospital's outpatient unit. Among the findings were: that relatively more healers than doctors revealed their diagnoses to the patient; and that the healers, when they did diagnose, did so in terms of 'trick' and 'evil' and treatment was largely with ashes, amulets and holy water. Surprisingly, relatively more patients appear to believe in the effectiveness of the doctors' treatment rather than the healers'. The results are discussed within the framework of the Indian concept of health and illness and further research possibilities are suggested.