27-14
VILLAGE THEATER
EXAMPLE 1: USELESS MEDICINES THAT SOMETIMES KILL
Overuse and misuse of medicines is a problem in many countries (see Ch. 18). In
Mexico, this problem is made worse by international drug companies that advertise
‘patent medicines’ by radio. They do this during the hours before dawn, when
many farm families listen to popular country music. The medicines advertised are
very expensive and of little use, yet many people are convinced by the smooth-
talking voice in the radio. So they waste their limited money on vitamin tonics and
other ‘wonder drugs’.
Also, many rural people in Mexico and elsewhere believe that intravenous
solution has tremendous healing powers. Villagers call it “artificial life.” Instead
of buying nutritious food, older people who are weak or anemic sometimes spend
their last pesos to have a nurse or ‘modern healer’ put a liter of I.V. solution into
their veins.
The following play tries to show the dangers of this kind of misuse of medicines.
It was put on for the village of Ajoya by the team of local health workers, as part of
a training program.
2) It is nearly dawn. The rooster crows,
“Cock-a-doodle-doo.” {The rooster is actually
a health worker in costume; see p. 27-10.) The
old man and his wife stir in bed, as they usually
wake up early in the
morning. Beside the
bed is an enormous
‘radio’ with a sign
that reads “RADIO
DECEPTION.” Hidden
inside the radio is an
artor.
3) Old Dona Luisa turns on the radio. There
are the sounds of country music. Then the
voice from the radio says, “Good morning to
you all. The last song was dedicated to Juanita
Torres in Ajoya, Sinaloa. And now, before
we play more country favorites, a word from
Meyerhov Drug Company: Are you feeling
weak and tired? Do you find it hard to wake
up in the morning? You may be suffering from
‘tired blood’. What you need are the new VITA-
MEYERHOV vitamin pills. You’ll wake up every
morning feeling like dancing! Remember, !”