Untitled - Smithsonian Institution

76 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bxill. 90
Other prophylactics.— These are of an individual nature and are used
not only against contagious but against any kind of diseases. They
are charms prepared from the skunk (m'^la') and the buzzard (su'li'),
"The odour of skunk ... is believed to keep off contagious diseases,
and the scent bag is therefore taken out and hung over tlie doorway,
a small hole being pierced in it, in order that the contents may ooze
out upon the timbers. At times, as in the smallpox epidemic of
1S6G, the entire body of the animal was thus hung up, and in some
cases as an additional safeguard the meat was cooked and eaten and
the oil rubbed over the skin of the person." ^^
Buzzard feathers are hung over the doorway, and I have also
witnessed a case where the whole carcass was hung up in the room and
was allowed to decay there; a measure the prophylactic value of
which many of us will be prone to doubt.
The buzzard is used in this connection because of its habit of
prejdng on decayed carcasses and rubbish; as he is imnnme from anj'"
ill effects, "caused by the bad odors," he is supposed by the Cherokee
to be immune from disease-contracting propensities, and therefore to
be able to communicate this valuable trait to those who keep his
feathers, etc., as a charm.
Another contagious disease the Cherokee are in great dread of is
whooping cough. As soon as there is known to be a case in the settlement
parents prepare a decoction of ywct'i' {Eryngium yuccijolium
Michx'., rattlesnake master, button snakeroot) and administer it to
all of their children which they consider susceptible of contracting
the ailment.
Various simples are used to help children grow into fine specimens
of manhood or womanhood, without their deserving the privilege
of being listed under the caption of prophylaxis. There is one
medicine, however, in a decoction of which babies are to be bathed
every new moon: k'ane'si' (Orontium oguaticum Ij,, goldenclub).
Measures to prevent toothache are numerous. When you see a
shooting star you must immediately spit, else you will lose a tooth.
If you always heed this injunction you will keep all your teeth sound
as long as you live.
Never throw the renuiins of anytliing you have chewed (a quid of
tobacco, the skin of an apple in which you have bitten, etc.) into the
fire; "else the fire will chew your teeth."
Another means, not so simple but even more efficacious: Catch a
"green snake" (a snake about 50 cm. long; not poisonous) and hold it
horizontally extended by neck and tail; then run it seven times back
and forth between the two rows of teeth, after which turn it loose.
No food prepared with salt is to be eaten for the first four days follow-
"Muouey, J., Mylhs of the Cherokee. Nineteenth Ann. Rcpt. Bur. Amer.
Ethn., Washington, 1900, pp. 2G5-266.