Vitamin C prevents scurvy and is considered a nat-
ural antibiotic and possibly an antiviral nutrient. Vit-
amin D is important as an antirachitic, that is, agent
that prevents bone and tooth disorders. The B vita-
mins affect growth, metabolism, lactation, and the
nervous, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems.
See also NUTRITION.
Voodoo (Vodun) A healing tradition, often mis-
takenly considered a type of witchcraft, involving
herbalism, traditional wisdom, baths, rituals, spells,
charms, necromancy, prayers, and other modalities
derived from the polytheism and ancestor worship
of African slaves taken to Haiti and practiced
largely in Caribbean and Latin American countries
and in the United States. The name Voodooor Voodu
most likely originated from the Louisiana Creole
word voudou, meaning deity or demon. Haitian
Voodoo priestesses, called mambos, minister as doc-
tor, psychic, psychotherapist, spiritualist, and social
worker to clients who are required to participate in
their healing processes.158 Voodoo