Table 2:Summary of FGDs: Common injuries and local treatment for injuries.

Category	Codes	Local treatment
Agriculture injuries	Cut injury by farm weapons	Juice of local herb called ‘karsalankanni’ is applied on wound. Some apply fine dust on the wound and cover it with wet cloth. The practice of applying mixture of ash of white cloth and sugar or turmeric or coconut oil on wound was reported. The mixture of lime and sugar or simply lime or sickle rust is often used for dressing the cut wound.
	Injury by domestic animals	Injured part of the body is rubbed against the animal head or face of the animal. This is said to help better healing.
	Thorn pricks	The practice such as application of white milk of the local herb; putting match stick tip powder at the site and burn it was reported.
	Blunt injuries	Mixture of tamarind paste and salt is applied over the site. Some apply turmeric paste. It is said to reduce swelling.
Bites	Snake bite	A thread is tied above the wound; cuts around the bite mark are made to suck out the blood; and patient is given banana bark juice to drink. Use of local herb called ‘Sriyanangai’ and ‘Perianangai’ is common practice. The victim is asked to consume black hen’s blood and green leaves together to neutralize the poison.
	Scorpion bite	Use of local herb called ‘Sriyanangai’ and ‘Perianangai’ is common. Faith healer is consulted for a sanctified thread. Kerosene is applied over site for cooling effect. The person is given coconut or coconut water to eat or drink. Some people seek herbal treatment from village-level faith healer called natvaidya.
	Dog bite	Cow dung is applied over the bite site and warm oil is applied. The victim is given little warm oil orally to remove dog’s poison. Pachalli leaves (Erraukam) are boiled with coconut oil which is then applied over the wound and part of it is given to drink to the injured person.
Burns	Burn due to fire	Juice of banana stem or crushed potato is applied on the site, Use of turmeric, butter, salt, ink, kerosene, mixture of milk and oil is also reported.
	Electric shock	A plenty of water is advised to drink and tomato is given to eat.
Poisoning	Insecticide poisoning	A mixture of cow dung and tamarind is given to swallow to induce vomiting.