Study On The Multi-elemental Medical System Of Tibetan Villages From The Perspective Of Medical Anthropology

C village is a historical village that is located in Dege County,Ganzi District of Szechwan Province.As a traditional minority ethnic settlement,C village has remained under-developed til the advent of China’s Reform and Opening policy in 1980’s.It has transformed from a land-locked village to an active participant of globalization,which has significantly influenced its economy,culture,customs,medical care,education,and general perception.This dissertation uses research methods such as interviews,observation and literature review.From the perspective of medical anthropology,it described and analyzed the background,causes and development of multiple medical system constantly challenged by modernization.It focuses on the discussion of general local perception towards diseases,and the change in their attitude and their practice of resorting to medical system.The dissertation comes to the conclusion that the medical system in Tibetan villages are multi-elemental,complimentary and a justified choice for residents in modernized Tibetan areas as it came into existence due to changes in culture and demand.This dissertation consists of six sections.The introduction explains the origin and significance of the research,analyzes relevant literature and briefly describes the research methods and field points of this dissertation.The first chapter is a background analysis of the multi-elemental medical system in C village,focusing on the background of social culture and natural environment;the second chapter pinpoints the multi-elemental medical system of C village,touching on the religious medical system,the medical system of Tibetan medicine and the modern medical system.The third chapter analyzes villagers’ choice of medical care under a multi-elemental medical system and briefly discusses the limitation in local medical care options,treatment practice and promotion of medication in C village.The fourth chapter introduces a medical anthropological interpretation of the coexistence of multiple medical systems,involving the anthropological analysis of the causes,necessity of such coexistence and a brief discussion of anthropological analysis.Conclusion part summarized the origin and development of the local multi-elemental medical system with meaningful suggestions.