Relics and Historical Uses of Human Zootherapeutic Products in Contemporary Spanish Ethnoveterinary Medicine.

José A González,José Ramón Vallejo

doi:10.3390/vetsci8120323

José A González, José Ramón Vallejo

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci8120323

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Abstract

(1) Background: this review documents the wide repertoire of practices and remedies based on the use of human-derived products in Spanish ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) from the early 20th century to the present. These practices are compared with historical data and those of other countries; (2) Methods: a search using advanced functions in the most important databases in the fields of ethnobiology, EVM, folklore, and ethnography was performed. Information was obtained from 29 documentary sources; (3) Results: from the search of the literature, 46 use-reports related to the veterinary use of human urine, menstrual fluid, saliva, breast milk, and faeces were recorded. These zootherapeutic resources are/were used to treat 20 animal diseases, in particular dermatological ailments. In addition, many practices of the magical–religious type are documented; (4) Conclusions: the veterinary uses described and analysed here are fundamental to the development of therapeutic tools and creating teaching and learning processes in new popular veterinary practices adapted to the users and those who demand them. The information collected could form a scientific foundation for future inventories of local veterinary knowledge (LVK) and research addressing the discovery of new drugs for livestock. This work contributes to the inventory of some uses, traditional practices, and rituals seriously threatened by the progressive loss of LVK in Europe.

Highlights

Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is a scientific discipline that focuses on people’s knowledge of animal diseases and their control, practices, and remedies for the treatment and prevention of animal diseases; it includes the management strategies and spiritual elements related to the care and production of animal health [1,2]
The aims of the present review are as follows: (1) to report and analyse local knowledge about the veterinary use of human beings and their derivative products in contemporary Spanish ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM); (2) to contribute to the transfer of part of the traditional ecological knowledge to new generations; (3) to contribute to the dissemination of results within the scientific community in order to open a door to research in other disciplines, such as epidemiological studies of the anthropology of health or livestock sociology; and (4) to contribute to the management and conservation of the biocultural heritage of Spain
The use of human products in EVM reveals the parallels between animals and animal ethnomedicine through a process of biocultural transmission throughout history

Summary

Introduction

Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) is a scientific discipline that focuses on people’s knowledge of animal diseases and their control, practices, and remedies for the treatment and prevention of animal diseases; it includes the management strategies and spiritual elements related to the care and production of animal health [1,2] It is currently an important scientific field with an increasing number of research projects. Taking into consideration studies published in the English language, notable examples can be found in Asia [5,6,7], Africa [8,9], Latin America [10], and Europe [11,12,13]

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