! HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVE IN MEDICINE !

2.04b Medicine in the Philippines! LE2

Dr. Rafael M. Valenzuela |October 6, 2016

OUTLINE

Agricultural, fishing and mining skills
Metallurgy and jewelry-making
2
Boat building
I. Pre-colonial Era
C. Spiritual Traditions
A. Indigenous Filipinos
B. Early Filipino Culture 1. Animistic (from anima or soul)
C. Spiritual Traditions Beliefs and practices based on world filled
D. Pre-colonial Healing with different spirits and supernatural
E. Observations on Traditional Healing beings, both good and evil
II. Spanish Era Respect must be paid via nature worship
A. Spanish Colonization
B. Diseases of the Spanish Period
C. Introduction of Western Medicine
D. First Spanish Hospitals
E. Spanish Medicine Progress
F. First Medical University
G. The Balmis Expedition vs. Smallpox
H. The Cholera Conspiracy
I. Observations on Spanish Era Medicine
III. American Era
A. American Colonization
B. The Philippine American Insurrections
C. American Education
D. Other Health Developments
Figure 1. Anitos, commonly displayed in traditional
Objectives
Filipino houses. (Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
1. To describe the major developments in the Philippines
medical history, from: 2. Anitos spirits worshipped in the form of household
o Pre-Spanish Era idols since we cannot worship what we cannot see
o Spanish Colonial Rule
o American Era D. Pre-colonial Healing
Scarce written records exist because of the fragile
Legend: materials used (rice paper, banana leaves)
Remember Previous Most accounts are based on the chronicles of Spanish
Lecturer Book Trans Com
(Exams)! Trans friars
Oral traditions of native healers (curanderos)
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Generally, illness was attributed to mystical
intervention or punishment by spirits or deities
I. Pre-colonial Era
! Back in prehistoric times, there are land bridges 1. Babaylan
connecting Asia and Africa so people migrated from other
regions. The first ones are the Negritos, then by the Malay
settlers.
! By the time of the 14th century, there was extensive trade
by different nations.

A. Indigenous Filipinos
Approx.. 25,000 BC: Negritos migrated from Asian
Mainland
Approx.. 200 BC: Malay settlers arrived from South
China
Approx.. 13,000 AD: Extensive trade with Japan,
China India; Arab traders from Indonesia introduced
Islam through the southern parts of the Philippines
Figure 2. Babaylan, considered as the healers of
B. Early Filipino Culture prehistoric times. (Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
Had system of writing

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First healers in tribal communities: similar to
shamans
Mainly women (babal-woman; belian spirit)
If there are no females available, the guy has
to dress up like a female; This is a sign that
females were given respect during the older
socities
Commune with the spirit world to intercede
with the sick
Spirits mediums: spirits can possess the
babaylans, thus speaking thru their voices
2. Albularyo
Primary health care provider; general
practitioner
Knowledgeable in using medicinal herbs
Usually attributes illnesses to supernatural
beings (duwende, kapre)
May perform rituals:
o Kanyaw, ritual blood draining of
chickens to drive away evil spirits
o slaughter of pigs
o orasyon (chanted prayers)
3. Healing with Herbs
DOH approves several of them
Ampalaya (bitter melon) diabetes mellitus,
coughs and colds, burns; being studied for
anti-cancer properties
Bayabas (guava) antiseptic, anti-
inflammatory, antioxidant
Lagundi (5-leaf chaste tree) coughs, colds,
fever
4. Manghihilot
Folk chiropractor; uses massage techniques
for musculoskeletal ailments
Often chosen and ordained by an ermitanya
(priestess)
Area of injury (sala) may be covered with
medicinal herbs
4. Cordilleras Shaman
Figure 4. Typical shaman from Cordillera
(source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
Typified by the Igorot tribes
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Shamans performed rituals involving prayers and
sacrifice of animals to appease their deities and anito
spirits
Animistic ceremonies to cure physical and mental
imbalances, that counter witchcraft, and that lead to
bountiful harvest
6. Faith Healer
Some are survivors of near death experiences.
Becoming recipients of supernatural healing powers
Ways of healing:
o Tawas
o Candle wax spread on a water to form a
shape and the healer will interpret the shape
to give clues for the disease
o Saliva
o Potion
May be spiritists, diviners, psychic healers, prayer
sayers, anointers, or psychic surgeons
E. Observations on Traditional Healing
Major paradigm is a balance between the universe,
humankind and the human body
Illness results from the imbalance in these elements
Treatments are done to maintain the balance
between human and spiritual world
This is completely different from Western paradigm
of germs and microbes of illness, humors
II. Spanish Era (1521 1898)
A. Spanish Colonization
1. A mighty Empire. BUT.
Anachronistic in many ways (sociocultural, political,
religious) languishing in a medieval cocoon
o Anachronism is an error in chronology in
which a person, object, event, etc., is
assigned a date or period other than the
correct one)
Separation of Church and State not clearly defined
Spanish Inquisition special body created by Rome
by located and managed by Spaniards which
intended to destroy enemies of faith, those who are
planning to overthrow Catholic church. King
Ferdinand and Queen Isabel are devotees of the
Spanish Inquisition.
If this Spanish inquistion suspects you, you are
asked to do an act of faith in which you are burned
alive. If you make it out of there, you are innocent,
but if you die you are guilty.
Spain isolated its colonies from outside influences
o The renaissance was happening at Europe
but Spain, correspondingly, the Philippines
remained static
2. Colonization of the Philippines (1565)
1521 Philippines was discovered by portugese
Ferdinand Magellan; Portugal has no faith in
Magellan, however Spanish King Carlos gave him a
chance. He was given 5 ships which took 2 years to
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reach the Philippines. They arrived at Limasawa o Legazpi moved colony from Cebu to
ruled by Raja Humabon who was baptized and was Manila, established as capital
given the Christian name, Carlos. Intramuros in 1571
Magellan and Raja Humabon made a pact to defeat o Famous (not really) quote: They
Muslim Lapu-lapu. Magellan sent his 60 men to have no leaders and are so divided
attack Lapu-lapu but they were fought by 1500 men among themselves, they can never join
of Lapu-lapu. Magellan, together with his men were together in strength
killed in the encounter.
Raja Humabon sent his 600 men along the B. Diseases during the Spanish Period
shorelines. However, Magellan told them not to Diseases in tropical weather conditions
interfere because he was confindent that they would a. Malaria
win. b. Yellow fever
Raja Humabon invited the surviving officers to a c. Leprosy
dinner and he cut off their throat. Several Spaniards d. Tuberculosis
escaped and reported that Filipinos are deceitful Diseases in swampy landscape, lack of sanitary
people. infrastructure
! Around this time, Spain was considered to be a. Typhoid
the most religious country in Europe. They wanted b. Cholera
to convert the natives into Christianity. At the same c. Dysentery
time, exploit the resources of the country Diseases coming from foreign contact with
! Spanish Armada- largest fleet in the world so Europeans, Chinese and slaves
they conquered most of the world. They a. Smallpox
conquered most of America and only the b. Measles
Philippines in the East. c. Syphilis
! Other conquerors in the east include: Dutch, d. Scurvy sailors/ Limies
French, British
1543 The archipelago was named Philippines C. Introduction of Western Medicine
Establishment of hospitals arose when native
chiefs formed alliances with Spanish
o Mainly for benefit of Spanish soldiers to keep
them healthy
Initially, Western medicine may have been a self-
serving tool of colonizers. If it reached indigenous
population, it was mainly to protect Spaniards from
contagion

D. First Spanish Hospitals

Figure 5. Miguel Lopez De Legazpi, Governor-

General; named Philippines in honor of King Philip
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
Miguel Lopez de Legazpi
o He did blood compact with the natives
o sensed the fragmented quality of the
Philippines due to its geography and
believed that the Philippines is easy to
Figure 6.Durong the Spanish era, hospitals were situated
conquer
near the church due to the belief that there should be
o He revisted the remains of Magellans
simultaneous healing of the body and the spirit
troop and found out that everything
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
has been destroyed except for Sto.
Nino, which he claimed to be a miracle
First hospital in Cebu (1565 by Legazpi)
o He took it as a sign that it was his duty
a. Moved to Intramuros, Manila (1571)
to convert the Philippines to catholic
o Legazpi died of a stroke 14 months Cuerpo Sanidad Militar: for those wounded in
after founding the capital of Manila military campaigns

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In Manila, the Hospital Real served Spanish soldiers,
sailors, and Spanish citizens
Note: Hospitals at that time were for those who could
not afford home service of doctor they were more
for the low income, lacking family/homeless
In time, Spanish crown had ordinary hospitals to
accommodate the growing population, as well as
native population
Often run by missionaries and religious orders
(Dominicans, Franciscans, Brotherhood of San Juan
de Dios) so that both the bodys wants and the
spiritual needs, be attended with ease
1. San Juan De Dios Hospital (1578)
Figure 7: San Juan de Dios Hospital
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
Oldest ordinary hospital in the Philippines: 1578 in
Intramuros
The hospital is located beside the church because
there should be simultaneous healing of the body
and the spirit
Bro. Juan Clemente, a Franciscan monk in charge
with San Juan de Dios, used herbal ointments from
native plants and roots to treat leprosy and ulcers
He tended mainly to slaves and servants
2. San Lazaro Hospital
Figure 8: San Juan de Dios Hospital
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
Also founded by Bro. Juan Clemente and the
Franciscans in (1578)
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Treated patients with leprosy and other
communicable diseases
In 1632, the Emperor of Japan sent 130
Christianized Lepers to the hospital
3. Hospital San Gabriel
Established 1587 by Dominicans for indigent
Chinese, who they wanted to evangelize
Britain invaded Manila from 1762 1764 (in
war with Spain)
Many Chinese sided with British against
Spanish. However, the British surrendered
the Philippines to the Spanish and the
Chinese were expelled
1898 Chinese General Hospital was set up
by Filipino-Chinese community
E. Spanish Medicine Progress
th
By 18 Century, Spanish colonial medicine was
profoundly influenced by French medical advances
Native rituals were suppressed as pagan works of
the Devil
F. First Medical University
University of Santo Tomas - the oldest, largest
catholic university in Philippines;
o Established as a college in 1611 by
Dominicans;
o Became a University in 1645 by decree of
Pope Innocent X;
o Specialized in Theology and Philosophy;
st
o 1871 became the 1 medical school in the
country
o Jose Rizal as one of the famous students; did
a successful cataract operation to his mother
who eventually developed endopthalmitis, eye
infection
o During World War 2, it became a
concentration camp
Figure 9: University of Sto. Tomas
(Source: UST)
G. The Balmis Expedition vs. Smallpox (1803 1806)
Smallpox an often fatal disease caused by Variola
virus, claimed thousands of lives
1591 epidemic devastated Manila and Batangas
1789 Edward Jenner developed a vaccine
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o HOW THE EDWARDS VACCINE CAME TO
THE PHILIPPINES: Royal physician to King
Charles IV urged Balmis to vaccinate the
Indios in South America, Mexico and
Philippine Colonies
o It was a 3-year mission to save thousands of
lives: the first international health care
expedition in history
o WHAT BALMIS DID: Balmis brought 25
orphan boys (ages 4 to 8 years) from Mexico
(smallpox angels), who were inoculated with
virus, carrying the vaccine in their bodies. He
grew the serum in their blood producing the
vaccine
o In Manila, he perpetuated the use of smallpox
vaccine
1806 - a smallpox Institute was established in Manila
Figure 10: Balmis Experiment, inoculation of small pox to
25 orphan boys to develop the vaccine
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
H. The Cholera Conspiracy
Figure 11: Cholera Conspiracy; Rumors spread
thatFrench and Chinese were plotting to poison
the water supply so they could over the Philippines
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
1820 Cholera came to Manila, killing thousands
o First mortality was near Pasig river, in Oct. 2,
1820
o Frenchman Dr. Paul Gironiere tried
investigating water supply
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People massacred the people suspected of the
cholrea conspiracy in Manila and Cavite, before the
governor subdued them.
1820 - Galens miasma theory still widely held
(polluted, poisonous air from rotting matter caused
disease)
1870s - Germ Theory of Disease spurred better
hygiene and sanitation
1883 - Dr. Robert Koch isolated the cholera bacillus
Occasional cholera outbreaks still occurred, but
improvements in water sanitation (i.e. Carriedo
water system, 1870) dramatically reduced death toll
I. Observations on Spanish Era Medicine
th
16 century Spanish medicine was largely in static
stage (e.g. belief in miasma, archaic healing
practices) questionable benefits to Filipinos
There were improvements in public health and
sanitation infrastructure, but mainly for benefit of
Spanish, with trickle down to natives on a minimal
scale
Missionaries and religious orders established
hospitals to care for the natives
Scholarly friars studied the properties of native herbal
medicine
III. American Era (1898 1946)
A. American Colonization
1. The Philippines became a Colony of America in 1898
After losing Spanish-American war over Cuba, Spain
ceded its colony of the Philippines for $20 Million
American troops occupied Manila and nearby
provinces
Pres. William Mckinley did not know what to do with
the Philippines
He claimed God spoke to him to remake the country
in our image
- Decided to occupy the Islands, and replace the
Filipino government: benevolent assimilation
Figure 12. Not all Americans supported Imperial
Interests (Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt)
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B. The Philippine American Insurrections (1891 1902) If America had not colonized the Philippines, it is
The Filipino revolutionary government fought against difficult to imagine what the country could have
Americans become, considering horrible state or health and
Atrocities occurred in both sides but, imperialism education in 1898 Dr. Conrado Dayrit, Former
prevailed under the tutelage of William H. Taft President of the Philippine Heart Association.
(Governor-General)
Filipinos came to the camp of Americans dressed as
women and they slaughtered the American soldiers. The history of the Philippines is still being written and it
America got angry and sent General Jacob Smith who still continues. You guys probably will write part of it
ordered to kill Filipinos over the age of 10
Thomasites- American teachers who taught Filipinos and
IV. Quiz
elevated the status of the Filipinos
1. Who are the first healers in the tribal communities?
a. Shaman
b. Faith healer
c. Babaylan
d. Albularyo
2. What is the fatal disease caused by Variola virus?
a. Leprosy
b. Small pox
c. Yellow fever
d. Measles
3. What hospital treated patients with leprosy and other
communicable diseases?
Figure 13. Little Brown Brothers a. San De Dios Hospital
(Source: Dr. Valenzuelas ppt) b. San Lazaro Hospital
c. Hospital San Gabriel
Little Brown Brothers what the Filipino people were d. Hospital Real
referred as when Taft presided over the benevolent 4. Who isolated the cholera bacillus during the Spanish
assimilation (Americanization of the Filipinos) Era?
Imported American teachers taught natives in English a. Dr. Robert Koch
(unlike the Spanish) b. Dr. Paul Gionere
- Education was probably single greatest c. Dr. Legazpi
contribution to the Philippines d. Dr. Edward Jenner
Japanese Occupation (1942 1945) decimated most 5. Spiritual tradition that believes that respect must be
of the infrastructure paid via nature worship
a. Anito
C. American Education b. Anachronistic
Schools established: c. Anachronism
% University of the Philippines, College of d. Animistic
Medicine established 1905, one of the oldest
medical schools, for the training of Filipino Answers: C, B, B, A, D
doctors
o Centro Optalmologico Rizal center for eye REFERENCES:
care 1.
th st
Lecture and Presentation on 20 and 21 Century
st
Medicine by Dr. R.M. Valenzuela
% Iloilo Mission School of Nursing (est. 1906) - 1
hospital to train Filipino nurses
!

% St. Lukes Hospital School of Nursing (est. 1907)

established by Episcopalians

D. Other Health Developments

1921 Department of Health was established
Improved sanitation and hygiene
Vaccination programs minimized or wiped-out many
diseases

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