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Natives treating the
sick, United States of America, engraving by Vernier from
Etats-Unis d'Amerique, by Roux de Rochelle, L'Univers Pittoresque,
published by Firmin Didot Freres, Paris, 1837. DEA / BIBLIOTECA
AMBROSIANA
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November is National
American Indian Heritage Month, a time of recognition for the
substantial contributions the first Americans made to the establishment
and growth of the U.S. But, the month and remembrance, like many
Native influences, still frequently go unrecognized in our day-to-day
lives. Whether its the invention of vital infrastructure such
as cable
suspension bridges or sport for fun like lacrosse,
so much of what exists in modern culture today is a direct result
of what was created before newcomers occupied these lands.
And the worlds health ecosystem, ranging from preventative
measures to administration of medicine is no different, owing much
of its practices and innovations to those ancestral peoples and
healers.
Here are seven inventions used every day in medicine and public
health that we owe to Native Americans. And in most cases, couldnt
live without today:
1. Syringes
In 1853 a Scottish doctor named Alexander Wood was credited for
the creation of the first hypodermic syringe, but a much
earlier tool existed. Before colonization, Indigenous peoples
had created a method using a sharpened hollowed-out bird bone connected
to an animal bladder that could hold and inject fluids into the
body. These earliest syringes were used to do everything from inject
medicine to irrigate wounds. There are also cases in which these
tools were even used to clean ears and serve as enemas.
2. Pain Relievers
Native American healers led the way in pain relief. For example,
willow bark (the bark of a tree) is widely known to have been ingested
as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. In fact, it contains
a chemical called salicin,
which is a confirmed anti-inflammatory that when consumed generates
salicylic acid the active ingredient in modern-day aspirin
tablets. In addition to many ingestible pain relievers, topical
ointments were also frequently used for wounds, cuts and bruises.
Two well-documented pain relievers include capsaicin
(a chemical still referenced today that is derived from peppers)
and jimson weed as a topical analgesic.
3. Oral Birth Control
Oral birth control was introduced to the United States in the 1960s
as a means of preventing pregnancy. But something with a similar
purpose existed in indigenous cultures long before. Plant-based
practices such as ingesting herbs dogbane
and stoneseed
were used for at least two centuries earlier than western pharmaceuticals
to prevent unwanted pregnancy. And while they are not as effective
as current oral contraception, there are studies suggesting stoneseed
in particular has contraceptive properties.
4. Sun Screen
North American Indians have medicinal purposes for more than 2,500
plant species and that is just whats currently known
between existing practices. But, for hundreds of years many Native
cultures had a common skin application that involved mixing ground
plants with water to create products
that protected skin from the sun. Sunflower oil, wallflower
and sap from aloe plants have all been recorded for their use in
protecting the skin from the sun. There are also noted instances
of using animal fat and oils from fish as sunscreen.
5. Baby Bottles
It wouldnt be considered sanitary or safe by
todays standards, but long before settlers made their way
to American lands, the Iroquois, Seneca and others created bottles
to aid in feeding infants. The invention consisted of the insides
of a bear and a birds quill. After cleaning, drying and oiling
bear
intestines, a hollowed quill would be attached as a teat, allowing
concoctions of pounded nuts, meat and water to be suckled by infants
for nutrition.
6. Mouth Wash & Oral Hygiene
Although tribes across the continent used various plants and methods
for cleaning teeth, it is rumored that people on the American continent
had more effective dental practices than the Europeans who arrived.
In particular areas, mouthwash was known to be made from a plant
called goldthread
to clean out the mouth. It was also used by many Native cultures
as pain
relief for teething infants or a tooth infection by rubbing
it directly onto the gums.
7. Suppositories
Hemorrhoids are nothing new. Nor is the pain and discomfort associated
with having hemorrhoids. But before modern-day solutions and dietary
changes, Indigenous peoples throughout the Americas created suppositories
from dogwood
trees. Dogwood is still used today (although not often) externally
for wounds. But hundreds of years ago small plugs were fashioned
by moistening, compressing and inserting the dogwood to treat hemorrhoids.
Its easy to go about our day-to-day lives without thinking
about the role that public health and medicine play in keeping us
safe and healthy. But its even easier to take those things
for granted without recognizing the brilliant innovations and inventors
that got us where we are today. In some instances, we have sanitized,
improved upon and perfected our modern-day practices. But in other
instances, we are not much further than our ancestors were. Those
healers who knew how to use the land and its resources to produce
effective methods and substances for ailments.
As technology moves us ever forward, let's not forget that as we
grow into the future, we are still rooted in history.
Nicole F. Roberts
Dr. Nicole (Fisher) Roberts is the Executive Director of Feed A
Billion, an international nonprofit that feeds girls around the
world to prevent exploitation, and the founder of Health & Human
Rights Strategies, a health care and human rights-focused advising
firm in Washington, D.C. Roberts is also the host of The Global
Good Podcast. Roberts contributes to Forbes, contextualizing health,
and highlighting ideas, companies and people that are changing the
health landscape. Her writing has appeared in numerous journals
and publications, and her talks can be found on the United Nations
website and various news and sports outlets. Roberts holds a doctorate
in public health from the University of North Carolina, a masters
degree in public policy from the University of Chicago and an undergraduate
degree from the University of Missouri.
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