Cannibalism: A Stroke Recovery Treatment?

can people who have stroke be prescribed cannibalism

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency care. It occurs when blood cannot reach all parts of the brain, resulting in potential brain injury. After a stroke, patients are typically prescribed medication to reduce the risk of another stroke occurring. This includes blood thinners, blood pressure medication, and drugs to treat underlying heart problems. While cannibalism is not a recognised treatment for stroke, there are a variety of medical procedures and medications that can be prescribed to improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of further strokes.

Characteristics Values
Definition The act or practice of humans eating the flesh or internal organs of other human beings
Synonyms Anthropophagy
Types Medicinal cannibalism, sacrificial cannibalism, infanticidal cannibalism, exo-cannibalism, endo-cannibalism, autocannibalism, gastronomic cannibalism, functionalist cannibalism, etc.
History Occurred in China, Fiji, Amazon Basin, Congo, Māori people of New Zealand, New Guinea, parts of the Solomon Islands, Melanesia, Congo Basin, Europe, Egypt, etc.
Reasons Famine, sexual pleasure, war, cultural reasons, etc.
Health Risks Prion diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), kuru, fatal insomnia (FI), etc.
Prevention Properly cleaning and sterilizing medical equipment, avoiding high-risk behaviors such as smoking, drug misuse, etc.

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Cannibalism as a medical treatment for strokes

Cannibalism as a medical treatment has a long and complex history. While it may seem like a morbid and unethical practice, the act of consuming human flesh and body parts has been documented across various cultures and periods. This phenomenon, known as medicinal or medical cannibalism, was driven by the belief that the human body's self-healing properties could be transferred to another individual through consumption. Here is an exploration of cannibalism as a medical treatment, specifically in the context of stroke:

Historical Context

Medicinal cannibalism has been recorded in Europe, China, and other parts of the world, with a history spanning from ancient times to the early 20th century. This practice often involved the consumption of human body parts, blood, or powdered remains, which were believed to possess healing properties.

Mechanisms and Beliefs

The underlying principle behind medicinal cannibalism was sympathetic magic, which held that certain body parts could cure ailments in corresponding areas. For example, it was believed that consuming human blood could cure epilepsy, powdered skulls could remedy migraines or dizziness, and human fat could alleviate bruising. This belief in the curative power of human body substances was rooted in the idea that the human body has the innate capacity to heal itself.

Stroke Treatment

Now, specifically addressing the topic of stroke treatment through cannibalism, there is no direct or scientific evidence to support this approach. Strokes are caused by interruptions in blood flow to the brain, leading to oxygen deprivation and potential cell death. While cannibalism may have been considered a treatment for various ailments in the past, there is no indication that it was specifically used to address stroke-related issues.

Ethical Considerations

It is essential to recognize that cannibalism, particularly in a medical context, raises significant ethical concerns. In modern times, the consumption of human flesh is generally viewed as abhorrent and morally wrong, especially in Western societies. Additionally, there are serious health risks associated with cannibalism, such as the transmission of prion diseases like kuru, which can have devastating and fatal consequences.

In conclusion, while cannibalism has been documented as a medical treatment for various ailments throughout history, there is no evidence to support its effectiveness specifically for stroke treatment. Furthermore, ethical and health considerations strongly advise against the consumption of human flesh as a medical intervention in modern times.

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The ethics of cannibalism

Cannibalism is a broad term that refers to the consumption of parts of the human body, dead or alive, to treat or prevent diseases. It has been practised for thousands of years and is associated with various cultural and ritualistic beliefs. While it may be considered taboo in some societies, it is important to examine the ethics of cannibalism through multiple lenses.

From an ethical perspective, cannibalism can be viewed as a complex issue. On the one hand, common sense dictates that cannibalism is immoral due to the harm inflicted on the person being consumed and the violation of human sanctity. The act of consuming another human being can be seen as a form of objectification and a degradation of human dignity. Additionally, the potential consequences of normalising cannibalism in society must be considered. Accepting cannibalism could create an incentive for people to harm and kill others, leading to a breakdown of social order.

On the other hand, in extreme scenarios, such as survival situations, cannibalism can be seen as a necessary evil. For instance, in cases of famine or life-threatening circumstances, consuming human flesh may be the only option for survival. In these contexts, the ethical argument shifts towards preserving human life, even if it means engaging in an otherwise taboo act.

Furthermore, the ethics of cannibalism become more nuanced when examining cultural and ritualistic practices. In some cultures, cannibalism is deeply rooted in traditional beliefs and rituals. For example, in certain societies, consuming the body of a deceased loved one is seen as a way to honour and become closer to them. While these practices may be disturbing to outsiders, they hold significant cultural and spiritual value for those who engage in them.

Additionally, the concept of ritualistic cannibalism, such as in the Christian tradition of interpreting the Eucharist as the actual flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, further complicates the ethical debate. According to some Christian theologies, communion is a sacred ritual that strengthens the relationship between humans and the divine. In this context, ritualistic cannibalism is viewed as an exception to the ethical norm, justified by a higher power.

Lastly, the ethics of cannibalism also extend to the potential health risks involved. While consuming cooked human flesh is generally no more dangerous than eating the flesh of other animals, the consumption of certain organs, such as the brain, can have severe health implications. The Fore people of Papua New Guinea, who practised funerary cannibalism, experienced an epidemic of kuru, a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE). This example illustrates the ethical responsibility to consider the potential harm to both individual and public health when discussing the ethics of cannibalism.

In conclusion, the ethics of cannibalism are multifaceted and complex. While societal taboos and the potential consequences of normalisation present strong arguments against cannibalism, extreme circumstances, cultural rituals, and religious practices offer nuanced perspectives. Ultimately, a comprehensive ethical evaluation of cannibalism requires considering the specific context, cultural beliefs, and potential health implications involved.

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Cannibalism and the risk of prion diseases

Prion diseases are a group of rare conditions that affect both humans and animals. They are characterised by the abnormal folding of proteins in the brain, which can be triggered by prion proteins. Prion diseases are always fatal and currently cannot be cured. They are often spread to humans by infected meat products, with the most common form being Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD).

The consumption of human flesh, or cannibalism, has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. In some cultures, cannibalism involved eating parts of one's enemies to take on their strength, while in others, it held more ritualistic significance. In Europe, from the 12th century until the early 18th century, human body parts were knowingly sold and purchased as medications. Even priests and royalty routinely consumed human body products in an effort to prevent ailments such as headaches and epilepsy.

However, cannibalism poses serious health risks, particularly in the form of prion diseases. Kuru, a rare, incurable, and fatal neurodegenerative disorder, was formerly common among the Fore people of Papua New Guinea. It is caused by a prion disease which leads to tremors and loss of coordination from neurodegeneration. The term 'kuru' means 'trembling' and comes from the Fore word 'kuri' or 'guria', meaning 'to shake'. It is also known as the ''laughing sickness' due to the bursts of laughter that are a symptom of the disease.

Kuru was transmitted among the Fore people through funerary cannibalism. During funerals, deceased family members were traditionally cooked and eaten, with women and children usually consuming the brain—the organ in which infectious prions were most concentrated. As a result, the disease was more prevalent among women and children. The epidemic likely began when a villager spontaneously developed sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and died, and other villagers consumed their brain.

While the Fore people stopped consuming human meat in the early 1960s, the disease lingered due to its long incubation period of anywhere from 10 to over 50 years. The last known kuru victim died in 2005 or 2009. Kuru is now a rare disease, thanks to increased awareness about its transmission.

In addition to kuru, other prion diseases include:

  • Variant CJD, which is related to 'mad cow disease' and can be contracted by eating diseased meat.
  • Variably protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr), an extremely rare form of CJD that affects people around the age of 70 with a family history of dementia.
  • Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker disease (GSS), an extremely rare form of prion disease that typically occurs around the age of 40.
  • Fatal insomnia (FI), a rare hereditary disorder that causes trouble sleeping. There is also a sporadic form of the disease that is not inherited.

Prion diseases are difficult to diagnose and currently cannot be cured. However, certain medicines may help slow their progress. Preventative measures, such as properly cleaning and sterilising medical equipment, may help to prevent the spread of prion diseases.

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Cannibalism in ancient cultures

Cannibalism has been a part of human culture for thousands of years. Here is a look at some instances of cannibalism in ancient cultures.

Ancient Rome

The consumption of human body parts for medicinal purposes was common in ancient Rome. Romans believed that drinking the blood of wounded gladiators could cure epilepsy.

Ancient China

In ancient China, the consumption of human flesh as a medical treatment was endorsed by influential medical texts like the Bencao Shiyi. The practice was based on the belief that human body parts could help heal another human body due to the human body's ability to heal itself. The cultural ideal of filial piety also played a role, with young people, especially daughters-in-law, voluntarily cutting flesh from their bodies to feed to their ill parents or parents-in-law.

Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians are known to have practised medical cannibalism, with the belief that powdered human mummy, called "mummia", could stop internal bleeding and possess other healing properties.

The Fore People of Papua New Guinea

The Fore people practised funerary cannibalism, where they cooked and consumed the bodies of the deceased as an act of love and grief. This practice led to the spread of kuru, a fatal degenerative brain disorder caused by prions, which resulted in the deaths of up to 200 people per year in the 1950s.

The Xiximes People of Mexico

The Xiximes of northern Mexico practised cannibalism as a crucial aspect of their spiritual life and worldview. They believed that ingesting the bodies and souls of their enemies and using their bones in rituals would guarantee the fertility of their grain harvest. After cooking and consuming the flesh, they would store the bones for months before hanging them from roofs and trees during the planting season to entice the spirits to help the crops.

Homo antecessor

Around 900,000 years ago in what is now Spain, the human relative Homo antecessor practised cannibalism, hunting and consuming others of their kind. Analysis of skull bones and fossils suggests that they chose human prey due to the relatively low energy cost and moderate nutritional value compared to other animal prey.

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Cannibalism as a survival mechanism

Historical Context

Occasionally, starving people have resorted to cannibalism for survival. Classical antiquity recorded numerous references to cannibalism during siege-related famines. More recent examples include the North Korean famine in 2013, the siege of Leningrad in the early 1940s, and China's "Great Leap Forward" in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Nutritional Cannibalism

Nutritional cannibalism, or consuming human tissues for their calorific value, has occurred when groups are deprived of food or isolated from their usual food sources. Historical examples include survivors of shipwrecks who fed on the bodies of those who died or killed other survivors for food.

Medicinal Cannibalism

Medicinal cannibalism, or the consumption of human tissues and blood for medical purposes, has also been documented. In Europe, particularly during the 16th and 17th centuries, remedies containing human blood, fat, and bones derived from recent graves or Egyptian mummies were dispensed. It was believed that human body parts could help heal another human body due to the principle of sympathetic magic.

Famine-Induced Cannibalism

Famine-induced cannibalism has been associated with several major famines in the 20th century, including the Russian famine of 1921-1922 and the famine in Ukraine during Stalin's collectivization from 1929-1933. German prisoners of war after the Battle of Stalingrad and Japanese troops after World War II also resorted to cannibalism due to extreme food scarcity.

Ritual Cannibalism

Ritual cannibalism occurs in some tribal groups where belief systems or religions require the sacrifice and ingestion of a victim or the consumption of the dead. The Aztecs, for example, practiced cannibalism in the context of human sacrifice, though the extent of this practice is debated.

Endocannibalism and Exocannibalism

Cannibalism can be classified as endocannibalism or exocannibalism. Endocannibalism refers to cases where victims are derived from within the same social group, and can be further subclassified as 'aggressive' or 'affectionate'. Exocannibalism involves selecting victims from outside the social group, either for nutritional or tribal reasons.

In conclusion, cannibalism as a survival mechanism has a long and complex history, driven by a range of factors including nutritional needs, ritual beliefs, and medical practices. While it may be considered abhorrent in many societies, it has been a part of human behavior for millennia.

Frequently asked questions

Cannibalism is the consumption of parts of the human body, dead or alive, to treat or prevent diseases.

Consuming cooked human flesh is no more dangerous than eating the cooked flesh of other animals. However, one organ that people should avoid eating is the brain. The Fore people of Papua New Guinea practiced funerary cannibalism and suffered from kuru, a fatal disease that affects the brain.

A stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there is an issue with blood flow to the brain, such as a blocked artery or bleeding in the brain. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage or death.

No, cannibalism is not a recognized treatment for stroke. Doctors may administer or prescribe medications such as tPA (a clot buster), blood thinners, and drugs that lower high blood pressure and cholesterol to treat stroke patients.

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