ABSTRACT
The balance between traditional beliefs and modern medicine is described in this chapter through the character of Gamzat Javatkhanov, “Peoples’ Doctor of Dagestan”. The need to make the best of the limited resources to hand is a possible connection between the difficulties with dealing with covid and historic treatment of other infectious diseases; Dagestan’s poverty means that over 80% of its state budget comes from Moscow. The burden of covid was exacerbated by lack of resources, ignorance and state denials. Traditional medicine, which necessarily blends hope and belief with ritual, is exemplified by examining various treatments with respect to maternity rites.
