Study of persistent diarrhea : INCAP, Guatemala City

Six cognitive schemata were identified consensually, each with specific causes, a linked progression of concepts, symptoms, signs, and diagnostic characteristics. Nearly all were found to be related to the humoral theory of disease, including the shamanistic concept of evil eye. Stool color reflecting humoral theory was found to be a key concept in diagnosis. Behavior associated with these cognitive schemata (traditional treatments, pharmaceutical and dietary) also adhered to the humoral concept of equilibrium and included the use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and liquids. It is argued that the high degree of internal consistency and consensus found in both cognitive and behavioral data in this study reflects aspects of the group interview method itself. The applied importance of humoral theory to home-based use of ORS is discussed as is the indigenous definition of dehydration and the village-level use of prevention. (Author abstract)