Mudpacks and Prozac Experiencing Ayurvedic, Biomedical, and Religious Healing

lives and problems  129

who lived in more distant regions of Kerala, such as Lakshmi, were asked to
respond to written questions sent by mail. Whereas it would not be practical
to follow up such informants in other parts of India (unless one was doing an
epidemiological study with a large number of researchers), Kerala’s near-total
literacy makes it possible to at least seek written responses from patients who
live in other regions of the state. An unidentifi ed male, most likely a family
member writing on Lakshmi’s behalf, gave us the following responses to our
follow-up inquiry:

1) How do you feel at present? Have you experienced any improvement or decline in

your condition?

She is feeling good. She has experienced improvement.^18

2) What treatment have you been using since we last spoke with you (about 6 months

ago)?

She is taking treatment now.

3) How many times have you been to Chottanikkara temple since we last spoke with

you?

Each month we are going to Chottanikkara. In addition to that, we are doing

two or three days bhajana [devotional singing].

4) Do you have any symptoms you did not notice before (since we last met)?

No.

5) Do you have any new ideas about the cause of your illness? Please explain what you

believe to be the cause of your illness.

Now there is no problem.

6) If your problems are still continuing, do you have any specifi c plan to get over this

illness?

Th ere is no problem, but if anything should arise, we have faith that we can solve

the problem by bhakti [devotion].

7) If your problems are still continuing, when do you believe these problems will be

over?

[no answer]