When working with patients from the jungle you typically run across some of the same issues that you do in the States, but there is always a twist. This young lady was admitted to the hospital because of an acute poison intoxication - something seen fairly frequently in the US.
She lives in Shuar jungle community and was flown in by helicopter after ingesting the sap of a Barbasco tuber. It is a type of wild yam. She had apparently gotten into a fight with her family, felt frustrated and found the Barbasco root. She pounded with a stone and sucked on the sap with the intent to kill herself. Fortunately her family found her and got help. Patients who ingest the toxin will often develop a slow heart rate, become weak or paralyzed, convulse, and die.
The Shuar (and other tribes) will use it while fishing. It's a tried and trued method used around the Americas.
Several will be upstream and pound on the tuber to release the sap and then wave it in the water.
It’s strong enough to paralyze the fish downstream and they’ll float to the surface and be easy pickings.
It is a safer way to fish than dynamite, which is sometimes used as well.
Fortunately for her she got better and was able to return home.
When questioned about what she had done she wouldn’t admit that she was trying to hurt herself.
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