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OBJECTIVE: Zombification, a magical and religious process in Haiti, has been scientifically studied and remains relevant. Originating from the convergence of African, Caribbean, and Christian rites, it involves a comatose trance, transforming individuals into living dead through Voodoo practices. Haitian zombies consistently exhibit a preserved expression marked by a nasal voice, a result of nasalization-using nasal cavities as resonators during phonation. The aim of this study was to ascertain the mechanisms through which zombification could impact the voices of the subjects. METHODS: A comprehensive investigation was conducted using both primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involved direct or reported testimonies of individuals undergoing zombification, with audio or video recordings available from the collections of the Laboratory of Anthropology, Archaeology, and Biology (UVSQ/Paris-Saclay University), as well as on the internet. Secondary sources encompassed the entirety of existing literature regarding zombification in Haiti on one hand, alterations in the voices of subjects when mentioned on the other hand, and toxicological hypotheses or evidence available on PubMed/Medline and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Few post-zombification observations exist, but 20th-century studies clarified the physio pathological process, confirming its reality. Wade Davis demonstrated in 1983 that zombification results from poisoning, with effects ranging from reversible to fatal, implicating substances like tetrodotoxin and datura. Nasalization can be natural or pathological, affecting various phonemes. No mutilating acts or surgery have been reported related to Haitian zombification. CONCLUSION: The pharmacological characteristics of tetrodotoxin, coupled with testimonials, present a medical hypothesis elucidating the biological mechanism underlying nasalization in this context. Given that tetrodotoxin induces flaccid paralysis as a neurotropic poison, its neurological impact could account for soft palate paralysis or spasms. Additionally, the severe hypotension induced by tetrodotoxin may elucidate oral and pharyngeal necrosis.
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INTRODUCTION: In the absence of skeletons or written narrations, information about diseases in past societies may be acquired from icono-diagnosis. From the observation of a masterpiece presenting pathological features, we tried to make retrospective diagnosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A pre-Columbian Mexican statuette originating from the Chupicuaro culture and dated 600 BC to 200 AD - conserved in the Louvre Museum in Paris (Section of the quai Branly - Jacques Chirac museum) was examined; it was found to display a huge spinal curvature with excessive dorsal kyphosis and obesity. RESULTS: The appearance of the figurine with large head, shortened stature and limbs, may suggest a form of dwarfism; however, many statuettes in the Chupicuaro culture were found displaying large head and relatively short limbs, suggesting that these pictorial features are more of an artistic style. On the contrary, uncommon kyphosis and obesity led us to diagnose a case of either Pott disease associated with neuro-endocrine complications, or of Cushing's disease. CONCLUSION: Although icono-diagnosis could have allowed us to contribute to the health mapping of ancient Americas and propose the presence of complicated tuberculosis in central Mexico between 600 BC and 200 AD, we believe "Choupi" portrays here an individual having suffered from hypercortisolism (Cushing's disease). Even though considerations related to cultural and artistic context may constitute limitations to interpretation, iconotopsy/iconodiagnosis are important for a better description of the natural history of diseases, as a complement to morphological analyses of human remains (paleopathology) and laboratory exams (DNA or immunology testing).
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Síndrome de Cushing , Cifose , Hipersecreção Hipofisária de ACTH , Humanos , Síndrome de Cushing/diagnóstico , Síndrome de Cushing/etiologia , Cifose/complicações , México/epidemiologia , Obesidade/complicações , Obesidade/epidemiologia , Hipersecreção Hipofisária de ACTH/complicações , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
Women are a particularly vulnerable group among persons seeking asylum but are still required to provide clinical evidence of acts of violence inflicted against them. In this study the authors describe patient histories, dermatological lesions and other injuries arising from physical violence and torture in female asylum-seekers attending a specialist outpatient service in France. Twenty-seven women were assessed during 2016-2018. Clinical corroboration of lesions with patients' self-reports was affirmative in >90% (25/27) of cases. Health care services in recipient countries must be configured and resourced to support women seeking asylum, and health care professionals must be receptive and sensitive to women's self-reported histories.
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Refugiados , Tortura , Feminino , Humanos , Abuso Físico , Autorrelato , ViolênciaAssuntos
Infecções por Coronavirus , Povos Indígenas , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral , Betacoronavirus , Brasil , COVID-19 , Humanos , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
Migrants pose many challenges to recipient countries, including preparedness and resilience of health systems and provision of access to health services. Refugees and asylum seekers comprise a heterogenous group with significant and complex health needs, including the physical and mental consequences of violence. Physicians are often on the frontline in providing care for these unassisted, vulnerable and often maligned and misunderstood population groups. The need to adopt an effective and compassionate medical approach is imperative, including an awareness of unconscious biases and differences in gender roles, decision-making, and social taboos. In addition to practical steps to promote and build a trusting relationship between patient and physician during consultations, physicians require a broad knowledge of anthropology, history, sociology, and drivers of migration such as conflict, resource scarcity and climate change for a better understanding of their patients.
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Relações Médico-Paciente , Refugiados , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde , Humanos , Confiança , Populações VulneráveisRESUMO
Background: The Paris Catacombs contain the remains of approximately 6 million people dating back to the 15th century, when leprosy was endemic in France.Aims: The aim of this palaeopathological study was to identify the presence of leprosy in skulls from the Paris Catacombs.Subjects and methods: Macroscopic examination of skulls in situ for bone changes secondary to oronasal soft tissue infection by leprosy. Skulls were categorised as having "probable" signs of leprosy if they had an enlarged nasal (pyriform) aperture, resorption of the anterior nasal spine, and resorption of the alveolar processes of maxilla, and as having "possible" signs of leprosy if they met one of these three criteria.Results: Skulls from 123 sections within the Catacombs (approximately 1500 remains in total) were triaged, with 367 skulls identified as suitable for examination. Of these, 74 had central facial bone alterations/abnormalities and underwent detailed examination, yielding 0.5% (2/367) classified as having probable, and 5.7% (21/367) possible signs of leprosy.Conclusions: The proportion of skulls with probable signs of leprosy gives an approximate estimate (0.5%) for the prevalence of this disease in the population of Paris (or districts of Paris) during the 15-18th centuries.
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Hanseníase/história , Crânio/patologia , Feminino , História do Século XV , História do Século XVI , História do Século XVII , História do Século XVIII , Humanos , Hanseníase/epidemiologia , Hanseníase/patologia , Masculino , Paris/epidemiologiaRESUMO
This article describes a retrospective diagnosis through an artistic representation of a pre-Columbian Central America bowl figuring a child with clinical characteristics of Crouzon syndrome. The report also highlights the importance of icono-diagnosis for a better description of the existing diseases into ancient societies.