Bruton, R., 1963. The rhinos of South-East Asia. Conservation News 1963 August: 5-10, figs. 1-6, maps 1-2
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Thailand |
| Subject: |
Value - Related to Horn |
| Species: |
Asian Rhino Species |
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Today the rhino horn and many other parts of the body, including the feces and urine, are sold at extremely high prices as cures for various ailments. The powdered rhino horn is especially prized as a care for male sterility and for rejuvenation. There is no doubt that these superstitions are entirely unfounded. At times various substitutes have been sold in place of the rhino horn and the buyers were entirely satisfied until they later discovered the truth. Research on the rhino horn in Thailand has yielded nothing which would indicate that the horn has any medical value.
The origins of these superstitions are difficult to determine. In part they probably arose from the unique features of the animal and later, from its rarity. There also seems to be some connection, probably European in origin, between the rhino and the mythical unicorn. The only physical similarity, however, seems to be the position of the horn. Magical properties were assigned to the horn of the unicorn and later transferred to the horn of the rhino. The horn was said to be capable of detecting poison, and so cups were made of rhino horn. If anything containing poison were put into such a cup, a violent bubbling was supposed to occur, neutralizing the poison. No doubt there were a number of owners of rhino cups whose less superstitious assassins saw their opportunity. It is unfortunate that they departed the earth unable to tell their stories and discredit the tales of magic.
In Asia today, the parts of the rhino are used mainly for 'medical' purposes, though in India there seems to be some spiritual significance. The sale of the rhino horn seems to be carried out principally by rather small numbers of independent merchants, but the superstition is perpetuated by the ignorant people of all nationalities. Such practices can only be viewed with disgust, especially by people from outside our area. All parts of the world, of course, have their traditions of folk medicine, and some are no doubt useful. But in the case of the rhino preparations, there can be little doubt that it is simply a case of unscrupulous bussinessmen selling useless drugs at very high prices to the few people of our area that remain uneducated. It is certainly not becoming to the old and great cultures of Southeast Asia to allow such practices to continue, especially as they profit no one but a very few greedy persons who have no interest in the countries where they live.
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The rhinos of South-East Asia
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