Soc Sci Med. 1989 ; 29(12): 1373-9.

Lead based remedies for empacho: patterns and consequences.

Baer RD, Garcia de Alba J, Cueto LM, Ackerman A, Davison S.

Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33620.

This paper discusses research designed to investigate the patterns and consequences of the use of lead based folk remedies in the treatment of some gastrointestinal problems in Mexico. Use of lead is seen in 35% of the population sampled in Guadalajara who treated the folk illness empacho, and 5% of a similar population in Oaxaca. Lead use seems to be associated with mestizo ethnic background, and with lower levels of parental education and income.