Diseases and Ways to Treat Them in Traditional and Modern Medical and Magical Practices of Russians (Russian North, North-West)

DOI: 10.33876/2311-0546/2022-4/246-265

Abstract

The article discusses the archaic traditional and modern bioenergy-­informational model of the disease, which goes back to the ideas of the new age and exists mainly in the urban environment. The study is based on an anthropological approach to the disease, which considers it as the invasion of a natural object into the human body and the violation of the integrity of its structure, which causes changes in the normal functions of the body. The author analyzes traditional ideas about diseases and their properties: vitality, the ability to grow, move, think, talk, etc. The causes and etiology of diseases are also considered within the bioenergy-­informational model of the disease that occurs as a result of violation of the human energy structure. The modern notion of the disease is discussed based on the example of the so-called essences; the paper outlines similarities and differences in the methods of diagnosis and treatment used by traditional healers and modern healers. It also analyzes a case of a healer who receives prayers “by contact”. It is concluded that the understanding of diseases and methods of their treatment within the bioenergy-­informational model, based on religious beliefs and healing practices from different ethnic traditions, are eclectic and syncretic. At the same time, the model turned out to be significantly influenced by Russian folk and Christian traditions, which allowed it to evolve into a unique ethno-­medical system.