Usog
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2008-06-28T06:03:52Z
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'''"Usog"''' or ''balis'' is a topic in psycho-medicine in [[Filipino Psychology]] (but considered just as a [[Philippines|Filipino]] superstition in Western Psychology) where an affliction or psychological disorder is attributed to a greeting by a stranger, or an [[evil eye]] [[Curse|hex]]. It usually affects an unsuspecting child, usually an infant or toddler, who has been greeted by a visitor or a stranger<ref>http://www.stuartxchange.com/PweUsog.html</ref>.
In some limited areas, it is said that the condition is also caused by the stranger having an evil eye or ''masamang mata'' in Tagalog, lurking around. This must have been influenced by the advent of the Spaniards who long believed in the ''[[mal de ojo]]'' superstition.
Once affected, the child begins to develop [[fever]], and sometimes [[convulsion]]s. Supposedly, the child can be cured by placing its clothing in hot water and boiling it. In most other places, to counter the effects of the "usog" the stranger or newcomer is asked to put some of his or her [[saliva]] on the baby's tummy, shoulder or forehead before leaving the house. The newcomer then leaves while saying: "''Pwera usog... pwera usog...''" The saliva is placed on the finger first, before the finger is rubbed on the baby's tummy or forehead. The stranger is never to lick the child<ref>http://www.viloria.com/secondthoughts/archives/00000176.html}</ref>. The practice is that the stranger or visitor is asked to put his or her saliva to the child's body, arm or foot (''"lawayan"'') to prevent the child from getting overpowered (''"upang hindi mausog"'').
A theory advanced by the Filipino psychologist [[Jose Fadul]]<ref>Public Forum on Witchcraft and Illnesses. Rizal Technological and Polytechnic Institute, Morong, Rizal. July 24, 1988.</ref> explains ''usog'' in terms of child distress that leads to greater susceptibility to illness and diseases. He observed and claims that a stranger (or a newcomer or even a visiting relative) especially someone with a strong personality (physically big, boisterous, has strong smell, domineering, etc.) may easily distress a child. Thus, the child is said to be "overpowered" or ''nauusog'' and thus may feel afraid, develop fever, get sick, etc. The stranger's act of gently placing his finger with his saliva to the child's arm, foot, or any particular part of the child's body, could make him more familiar to the child, and thus, reduce if not remove the stress. As the stranger keeps gently saying, "Pwera usog... pwera usog...," the child is made to feel and assured that he means no harm. The ''usog'' is said to be counteracted because the child is prevented from succumbing to an illness since the child is no longer in distress. Children or even adults who are shy or have weak personalities are more susceptible to ''usog'' in accordance with Fadul's observations and theory. He claims to have observed that at times even praising a shy child by a visiting relative caused an ''usog''.
Usog can also, though less commonly, affect adults, and it may induce vomiting and stomach ache rather than fever. Supposedly, it can be prevented by stopping a stranger or visitor from greeting the person. Unlike "[[lihi]]", however, usog is not yet medically accepted.
Superstitious folk and researchers dealing with Filipino Psychology say they have observed this phenomenon and regularly suggest this be added to the Psychiatric Disorders Handbook [[DSM-IV]]. However, the suggestion has several times been rejected.
==Sources==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[Evil eye]]
*[[lihi]]
*[[albulario]]
[[Category:Curses]]
[[Category:Superstitions]]
[[Category:Filipino culture]]
[[Category:Filipino society]]
[[Category:Tagalog words and phrases]]
[[tl:Usog]]