Old ills and remedies

Unlike civilizations where environmental conditions and processes of the human body burial treatment favored conservation some specimens, the best trace-c-most common conditions for study d old skeletal remains are the Mexicans, if forgotten that several sources written account of diseases and remedies that there was the arrival of Spaniards, or that certain representations plastic-mail: farmers and pictorial features anómak-evident that medicine today may well be associated with facial paralysis, tuberculosis, goiter, and other foot equinovaro congenital deformities.
Today specialization anthropologist discipline and application of new techniques and scientific resources to move beyond the conventional bone analysis to diagnose diseases of the past. Anthropologists and specialists in physical anthropology skeleton (bioarchaeology and forensic osteology) have extensive knowledge about the physical and moan i fed the ancient inhabitants of Mexico, but also about their suffering congenital infectious, metabolic and geriatric.

Without neglecting the cultural diversity of the pre-Columbian Mexico, the magic-religious cause of death or the representativeness of the archaeological record for the different cultures, researchers have postulated as a theme common diseases associated with the natural cycle of life and death particularly those related to childbirth (puerperal fever), children (diarrhea, respiratory infections, burns from heat and difficulty breastfeeding) and aging (arthritis and osteoporosis).
In general terms, not far from the optimistic narrative of the chroniclers of the sixteenth century, it is considered that Mesoamerican societies were able to establish a balance with their environment, like other contemporary civilizations in the world, reached an acceptable expectation living close to 40 years. We also know that developing preventive and curative treatments for their ailments, which behaved in a stable judging by the low incidence of infectious disease epidemics and the absence of antibiotics.
According to the archaeological record of the physical evidence, all the common diseases in different eras and cultures of ancient Mexico often grouped as follows:

Metabolic Osteopatologías
Diseases such as screening or espongiohiperostosis orbital (abnormal growth of porous bone in the skull or the eye orbits), dropsy (ascites or accumulation of fluid in the womb), dental enamel hypoplasia, subperiosteal hemorrhage and inflammatory reactions in long bones are related to lack of nutritional elements, and in the pre-Hispanic mark a clear distinction between social classes, as demonstrated by studies of bones of Mayan leaders, describing the privileged individuals who reached heights and ages of above the average.
Dysplasia and congenital disorders
Among these have been documented cases of congenital spinal deformation (or gibosidad hump) and the iconography is rich in representations of supernumerary fingers and dwarfism in the Mayan culture or the Aztec, standing Bot (or equinovaro because pisa at an angle imperfect, leading to "zambas legs") were regarded as extraordinary attributes. A genetic disorder is the recent registration weakens you spondylitis (spinal fusion and progressive joints) that can be seen as a hereditary ruler in the dynasty efe Calakmul.

Infections
Direct exposure to bacteria, fungi and viruses justifies Bronchopulmonary infections) gastrointestinal versions commonly represented in graphic documentary evidence, however, symptoms and bone injuries more serious infections, like tuberculosis and syphilis, pre mummies in the Cave de la Candelaria. Extended occupation and exploitation of resources in the tropics have suggested proliferation of cutaneous leishmaniasis and Chagas' disease in pre-Hispanic times, but not leprosy, malaria and yellow fever, which are recorded only after the Spanish Conquest.
Rheumatic diseases
Osteoarticular effects, such as arthritis deformans wear, have been identified in several pre-Hispanic populations as a result of practices that promote physical labor specialization. Less common is osteoporosis by degenerative aging, perhaps because it relates to life expectancy, but has recently drawn attention to the identification of both the suffering and the skeletons of Pakal Reina Roja, long leaders of Palenque.

Injuries and wounds
The effects of external trauma, muscle contractions and some wounds in skulls, arms, legs and ribs were found in bone collections of several archaeological sites, which are a common disease in young male population, perhaps because their ability to participate in war activities . Most injuries are consolidated and reclaimed in life, although cases have been reported "in the aftermath of osteomyelitis infection of the bone marrow, following a traumatic couple.
Dental diseases
I teeth and kept their containers often better for
skeletal remains are very useful for the identification of health problems in general. They reflect both the quality of food as chewing habits and poor oral hygiene, in the old Mexican, causing cavities, alveolar abscess, loss of teeth, tartar buildup and tooth wear.
Although less factual support also may assume the existence of other diseases that also leave traces in the bones, as craneoestenosis (premature closure of cranial sutures) and tumors by abnormal growth of bone and tissue, and "diagnose" representations goitre, scurvy, anemia or chronic lead epidemiological references in tropical regions, or interpret mortal ills caused by fright or sorcery.
While scientific research has helped to validate the presence
of such diseases in several Mesoamerican cultures, can not say the same about the medical practices of prevention and cure. Those relating to society Aztec only documented in the chronicles and drawings of indigenous and Spanish authors, as seen in the magnificent illustrations of the Codex Florentino.
Dr. Bernard Ortiz de Montellano considers the Aztec culture, like other non-Western medicine, managed to develop a personal physician and naturalist, but influenced by a particular religious worldview magical emotional forces which played a key role in operation of men.
The support of the health system was a full knowledge of the human body, strengthened by eating a balanced diet with protein and the provision of public infrastructure for the supply and removal of waste and drinking water. The moral precepts of balance, moderation, exercise and performance of duty were also essential to preserve the physical health.
According to the Aztec world, there were at least three mental forces in the human body: tonalli related to the sun and concentrated on the crown; teyolía equivalent to the "soul" and is located in the heart, and ihíyotl, located in the liver . The involvement of any of these forces could cause illness, insanity or death. From a personal point of view, the problems were caused by supernatural entities, not human or sorcerers, sending epidemics killed, sick people or to damage caused by spells. "The remedies against diseases inflicted by the gods were the confession, the offering or [...]
Atonement, "while the procedures for witchcraft magic mentions Ortiz de Montellano, who also said that the careful observation of nature allowed the Aztecs discovered the benefits of medicinal plants and make them." His treatment of the injured exceeded andalusia much used by Europeans [...]; surgery was quite appropriate [...] Trataban fractures, drained abscesses and lesser forms of practicing plastic surgery. "
Scenes embodied in the Florentine Codex show healing of fractures and dislocations with dust and splinting cucucpatli; treatment of head injuries based on urine and saliva of maguey matlaxihuitl to heal, the healing of bruises and swelling with herbal ointments; the implementation of blood to reduce the swelling from falls; huitztli drink to relieve pain by bites, urine or hot lizards ground for chest injuries, and the use of the following maticéhuac for nosebleeds. Maybe now is not so obvious, but the acceptance and practice of traditional medicine is derived largely from the knowledge and beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of our territory.