Thesis(M Med(Neurology))--University of Limpopo(Medunsa Campus),2009. / 1
BACKGROUND (geophagia/pica)
Pica is a tendency to ingest nonnutritive substances eg. chalk, paper, wood, coal
etc. The American Psychiatric Association in its diagnostic and statistical Manual
defines Pica as persistent eating of non-nutritive substances that is inappropriate
for developmental level, occurs outside culturally sanctioned practice and, if
observed during the course of another mental disorder, is sufficiently severe to
warrant independent attention. The term pica comes from the Latin word magpie- a
bird known for its indiscriminating eating habits. The deliberate consumption of
earth, soil or clay is known as geophagia which is the commonest form of pica.
Hippocrates is credited with the oldest description of this ancient practice.
An ancient Roman textbook, De Medicina, compiled by Celsus during the rein of
Emperor Tiberius (13 – 37 AD), mentions earth eating as one of the reasons for
bad skin colour. It is a practice that continues to exist in modern times, the full
extent however, remains unrealized most probably due to underreporting.
Geophagia has been practiced at some stage, virtually world wide eg. America
(north & south), Asia, Australia, Britain, India, various parts of Africa. The
epidemiology however, is still unknown due to the lack of studies in this regard.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/254 |
| Date | 29 May 2010 |
| Creators | Moagi, Mantoa Elizabeth |
| Contributors | Magaza, D S |
| Publisher | University of Limpopo (Medunsa Campus) |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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