GLOSSARY OF MEDICAL TERMS

NEEDED BY AMERICAN DOCTORS FOR THE TREATMENT

OF CUBAN PATIENTS

     PATATÚS – An attack of obscure origin that can strike at any time. Could be serious

                     enough to require hospitalization, yet remain undetected by medical technology.

                     Somehow this attack is related to not waiting three hours after eating to take a bath.

                  shorter duration, alleviated by lying in bed with a washcloth soaked in

                     alcohol on the forehead.

     DESTEMPLANZA - Mysterious body temperature, not high enough to be considered fever

                     but serious enough to miss school or work. This illness is unknown by the American

                      Medical Association and understood only by doctors of Cuban origin.       

     EMPACHO - Digestive disorder which occurs after the consumption of a large meal.  It is very

                      common among Cubans after any celebration, but is most prevalent on Nochebuena.         

     CUERPO CORTADO (Cut Body) - Frequent and mild condition of unknown origin. Symptoms

                      include, but are not limited to fatigue, lack of energy or chronic whining.         

     NO ESTAR EN CAJA (Not being in a box) -  A milder case of the above.

     MUÑECA ABIERTA (Open doll) - Dislocation of the wrist, usually follows an attempt to open

                       a jar of "aceitunas" (olives) or any other stubborn container.  

     MOÑO VIRADO (Twisted Bonnet) - Psychological imbalance, most of the time of short

                       duration, that causes strange mood swings, and violent or irritating behavior.

     NEURA - Similar to the above, but of longer duration. Some individuals have it for years!

     CINTURA ABIERTA (Open Waist) - Very common illness usually caused by trying to carry

                       a very heavy object. Cubans cannot explain where the waist is open, or even

                       how it closes again.

     BRINCO EN LA BOCA DEL ESTOMAGO (Jump in the mouth of the stomach) - Nervous condition

                       caused by anxiety. In children, it is very common before having to read poetry

                       at school, and in adults, before making a business presentation to an audience if

                       the boss is sitting in the front row.

     ORZUELO (Sty) - Inflammation of a sebaceous gland in the eyelids. For years it has

                       been cured by the application of a gold ring to the "orzuelo". First the ring has

                       to be rubbed against flannel until warm. If after three applications it does not

                       go away, an antibiotic could most likely be recommended.

     AIRE (Air) - Is a sharp, intermittent pain that affects any interior part of the body, especially

                       around the rib cage. Nobody knows how the air got between the ribs or how to get it out.

     PASMO - Similar to the above, but sometimes of more serious consequences. It happens to

                       housewives who have been ironing and step out to the yard, or to children (only in the

                       presence of their grandmothers) when they step out of a steamy bathroom too soon!

     ENFRlAMlENTO - Sudden loss of body temperature and slowing of metabolism caused by

                       emotional episodes or by coming out of a crowded place without covering one’s mouth.

     CHICHÓN - Elevated cranial protrusion usually caused by a fall on your head.

     MOLLERA - Soft spot found on newborn babies of Cuban origin, which is much more sensitive

                       than those of American babies. The slightest touch can lead to irreparable brain damage.

     CHOCHERA - Symptom affecting all Cuban senior citizens to varying degrees…