Acta Psiquiatr Psicol Am Lat. 1992 Dec; 38(4): 299-309.

[Psychiatry in ancient Mexico]

CalderÃ³n NarvÃ¡ez G.

Using studies on prehispanic and early post-conquest documents of Ancient Mexico--such as the Badianus Manuscript, also known as Libellus de Medicinalibus Indorum Herbis, and Brother Bernardino de SahagÃºn's famous work History of the Things of the New Spain, a description of some existing medical and psychiatric problems, and treatments Ancient Aztecs resorted to, is presented. The structure of the Aztec family, their problems with the excessive ingestion of alcoholic beverages, and the punishments native authorities had implemented in order to check alcoholism up are also described.