Inhuman firebranding of kids

This is a superstitious phenomenon that is rampant in many villages in India where they firebrand their kids for relief from crying or illness. It appears that they use a hot nail or bangle and burn the kids on their neck or belly or back depending upon the problem. My sister, who is a pediatrician at Satyasai General Hospital Puttaparthy says it is a very common thing around Puttaparthy villages. It is an accepted practice among the villagers and they don't have any remorse on doing it. Some folks open up and tell the docs that they can't do much because the elders in the house indulge in this. The doctors joke around that they can diagnose the problem by looking at the burns. Unfortunately, many of them die from the infections caused by the burns as well. It seems this is not just in Andra Pradhesh, but even in the north, specifically Rajasthan (where my sister did her MD) this is commonplace.

I was trying to figure out if there is any logic behind this inhuman ignorant practice - I haven't found any. Usually, we Indians are too pleased (or scared) to follow some practice just because the elders tell us. The unquestionable faith in elder folks and hearsay is one of the main cause of such ignorant inhuman practices in our country.

If anyone wants to help by giving this some publicity and awareness about this stupid superstitious nonsense, please do contact me.