Name: Bierlich, Bernhard Home Country: Denmark Research Country: Ghana Project period: 1991-1994 Type: Ph.D. Thesis Title The power of medicines. Notions and practices of health and illness among the Dagomba of Northern Ghana Abstract On the basis of anthropological fieldwork, the aim of this study was to examine perceptions of health and illness and the medicines or substances (herbs, western pharmaceutical and Islamic medicines) used in prophylaxis and treatment of illness, as well as for "offensive" purposes (to harm one's enemies), in a rural Dagbani speaking area of Northern Ghana. The central discussions revolved around a characterization of the use of medicine by men and women. Attention was also given to notions of causality in illness, healing and patterns of therapy management. Of particular interest was the emergence of women as decision-makers and those who can cure the family health problems. The analysis revealed that most health care decisions are taken in the home and by the women, while men's participation in the salving of family health problems is minimal. The disparate themes are pulled together to point to the crucial "experimental" attitude of people when responding to ill health. Additionally, quantitative data gathered from one village population concerning the actual "amount" of illness as recorded in regular household visits, including Guinea worm infection, and the choice of therapy, are presented. Involved research institutions Department of Social Anthropology, University of Cambridge, England (limited DBL involvement) Supervisor(s) Gilbert Lewis, University of Cambridge Correspondence