The pattern of disease and treatment among the santanl and munda tribes in a village of Jhargram block, Paschim Medinipur: An anthropological observation

In this paper we have made an attempt to study the pattern of disease and their treatment. This study was conducted in a village inhabited by Santal and Munda tribes. These data was collected from 32 families by using simple open-ended question and case history method. In my findings revealed that the occurrence of the disease forms patterns in terms of age and sex. The frequency of disease is less early ages but the boys and girls become affected by various diseases like fever, cough, diarrhea, etching etc. as soon as they reach ten years old. The girls come across menstrual problems during their teens. Serious disease like Tuberculosis, Gastric ulcers, urine blockage and Hypertension begin to occur after 40 years old among the male. The treatment of disease also are flows a pattern. In our study area very few families were found to apply the traditional herbal medicine in case of fever, dysentery and sores. A good number of families were also found rush to hospital and a primary health centre whoever they were affected by any aliments. There are also few families who are going to costly private clinics in the Jhargram town. The whole scenario reveals a varied and varied condition rather than a uniform consistent pattern.