Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are mistakenly attacked by their own immune system.
What role did the bison or buffalo play in the culture of the Plains Indians? The bison were an important source of fur, food, and shelter for the Plains Indians. They used every part of the animals they killed. Bison were also an important part of their culture.
The bison provided the base needs of the native cultures (food, fiber, fuel, shelter) and they served as cultural icons in spiritual and fertility rites. The important difference between the two situations is the domestication of the llama and alpaca.