On Sun, 2 Mar 2003 13:11:24 -0500, Richard Geller <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

>copyright(c) NY Times
>Science Desk | August 27, 2002, Tuesday
>A DOCTOR'S JOURNEY; Ancient Ways, Harsh Terrain and Many Bugs
>The article is fascinating --

Yes, it's a very interesting article. In my view, these people, i.e.
Chimane Indians, no longer represent pure hunter-gatherers, in spite of the
fact that they're still hunting and gathering. They have been working for
civilized men quite some time, finding mahogany trees and getting paid. A
number of women were suspected of having sexually transmitted diseases
caused by loggers. There were many cases of pneumonia, and one man with
maybe TB. Maybe these two diseases h

ad something to do with new bacteria
and viruses.

An alcoholic beverage called chicha, was consumed by both children and
grownups. It was made of manioc, a tuberous root. Some people were
suspected of having drinking problems. If that was the case, then I wonder
why. Perhaps it was caused by the psychological burden of encountering
civilization; trucks, bulldozers etc. But, perhaps alcoholism isn't just an
agricultural phenomenon.

Most woman over 25 or 30 didn't have any teeth left. Weston A. Price
wouldn't have been happy here. The cause was suspected to be chicha, the
jungle beer. But, nothing was reported about the teeth quality of men.
Assuming they didn't loose their teeth, I think women wore out their teeth
by preparing chicha and other things.

NY Times website doesn't let one read the article for free, but I found a
copy of it at the following address:
http://myt

wobeadsworth.com/Ancientway828.html
Read it and make your own judgement. Maybe I've misunderstood something.

/Fredrik