Quackery

Cambodia has the most amazing set of health care beliefs. Cupping is very popular, whereby glass cups are placed on the body and heated with a flame to draw impurities out and cure headaches. I often see people out and about with red circles all over the faces and chests after they have been "cupped". Coining is also widely practised, even by educated Western Khmers, as in this picture. A coin is rubbed up and down on the skin until it makes a raw red mark. This is supposed to relieve the symptoms of colds and headaches. Possibly there may be an element of merit in these cures, but I'm absolutely certain it is not safe practice to light a fire under the bed of a woman giving birth, particularly in a wooden house!