7. South America and the Caribbean

Abstract

Owing to the language barrier, much Brazilian research is not known in non- Portuguese-speaking countries. A valuable resumé of sociocultural psycho pathological research carried out in Brazil is given by J. LUCENA. Next, J. MARIÁTEGUI and his coworkers report on a carefully planned psychiatric epidemiological study in an urban district of Lima, Peru. In the previous issue of this review (Transcultural Psychiatric Research 7 [1970] : 56-58), M. DOBKIN DE RIOS presented observations regarding the ritualistic use and the effects of a powerful hallucinogen, ayahuasca, in Peru. In continuation of her studies, she collected data on belief systems connected with the use of this substance. These data are reported. Serving at a medical clinic in the interior of Guate mala, J. H. TENZEL had the opportunity to study indigenous disease concepts and to examine individuals being treated by shamans. On the strength of his observations he arrived at conclusions which diverge from commonly held assumptions. A combined abstract of three papers dealing with attempted suicide and suicide in various Caribbean islands ends this section. Significant differences between different ethnic groups in their tendency to attempt or to commit suicide have been noted.