This paper examines the symbolic properties and cultural relevance of latah, a behavioral state noted in Malay and Indonesia since the 19th Century. Most interpretations of latah have been psychological, latah being perceived as a 'mental disorder.' In the following, it is concluded that latah is intimately related to other aspects of Malayo-Indonesian culture and that it is a well-known cultural pattern and not a mental disorder as such, though it may occur among persons, largely women, in a socially and psychologically marginal situation. Latah is a symbolic representation of marginality, and it is as appropriate to certain mythological and religious figures to the socially marginal.
MeSH terms: Age Factors; Aged; Attitude to Health; Mental Disorders/etiology; Mental Disorders/psychology*; Ethnic Groups*; Female; Humans; Indonesia; Malaysia; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Social Behavior; Social Class; Social Environment; Reflex, Startle
The phenomenon of amok is reviewed in order to demonstrate the heuristic value of an ethno-behavioral model of culture-bound syndromes. The notion that culture-bound syndromes share underlying common disease forms is rejected. Instead, the ethno-behavioral model postulates that culture-bound syndromes consist of culturally specific behavioral repertoires legitimated by culturally sanctioned norms and concepts, but with both behavior and norms acquired in accordance with basic principles of human learning universal to all cultures. Consistent with this model, amok is shown to be a common behavioral pathway for multiple precipitants (which may or may not include disease pathology), but with a distinct form and conceptualization which can be traced to the social learning practices and beliefs of the Malay.
MeSH terms: Attitude to Health; Mental Disorders/psychology*; Culture*; Ethnic Groups*; Humans; Language; Malaysia; Social Behavior; Social Conformity; Social Environment; Stress, Psychological; Syndrome
MeSH terms: Abortion, Induced; Adolescent; Adult; Birth Rate; Budgets; Education, Continuing; Family Planning Services*; Female; Health Occupations/education; Humans; Malaysia; National Health Programs*; Pregnancy; Role; Women
Toxicity tests carried out on the larvae of A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus showed the former to be more tolerant of all insecticides tested, the order of toxicity being temephos greater than DDT greater than DDVP greater than malathion greater than lindane greater than carbaryl; also the second instar larvae of A. aegypti were more susceptible than fourth instar larvae. Enzyme kinetic studies on the total non-specific esterases and CarEs of adults and larvae of both species showed the Km values for total esterases of adult A. aegypti to be 0.333 mM vs 0.233 mM for C. quinquefasciatus; for adult CarEs it was 0.250 mM vs 0.220 mM. For total larval esterases of A. aegypti it was 0.112 mM vs 0.175 mM for C. quinquefasciatus: and for larval CarES it was 0.159 mM vs 0.213 mM respectively. Although some correlation between in vivo toxicity (LD50 values) and in vitro esterase inhibition (I50 values) between species could be discerned, overall correlation could not be established.
Anopheles (Cellia) litoralis King and Anopheles (Cellia) sundaicus Rodenwaldt, vectors of malaria, were collected from the same brackis and sea-water habitats in six localities in Sabah. They share the same breeding habitats with predominance of one species over the other. The two species although distinct have small morphological differences and are taxonomically separated by certain wing characters. Hybridization between the two species was successful. Reciprocal crosses produced viable progeny which appeared to develop normally to adults. Hybridized females laid fewer viable eggs in comparison with the parents. The F1 hybrids resembled the litoralis parent in most characters. Backcrosses of both litoralis and sundaicus parents with the F1 hybrids yielded no eggs. F1 male hybrids were thus assumed to be sterile. The results obtained from cross matings between the two species suggested something more than subspecific status.