ABSTRACT
Qualitative analytical procedures used here provide insights into the lay understandings of the arsenicosis patients about arsenic and its toxic effects on health as well as the social implications of arsenic poisoning. Survival strategies of affected patients are the important aspects of this chapter. Participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus-group discussions were used to explore people's perceptions concerning their health problems and their understandings about arsenic toxicity. Important grassroots opinions were expressed by the interviewees. The opinions of arsenicosis patients regarding health and social hazards and their survival strategies were collected through qualitative enquiry. In this chapter, the patients’ own ideas about their health situation during their illness were also explored.
