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Olbrecdts] the swimmer MANUSCRIPT 103
them again, after having copied them, for a watch, a buckskin, and
an overcoat.
When taJving this course of instruction particular stress is laid on
the explanatory remarks which should accompany each formula (see
p, 158), and any ingredients, simples, and paraphernalia mentioned in
ther3 are also minutely described and explained by the tutor. This
instruction is given in a truly Socratic manner, and as I found out
myself, information is only dispensed so far as solicited. This is
probably the reason whj'- these medicine men are such line informants,
and why working with them is so profitable and remunerative; they
have been trained in the technique of asking and giving information,
and take so much interest in it, and are so visibly flattered by any one
attaching so much importance to the smallest detail of their knowledge
that once their initial reserve has been overcome they enjoy the work
as much as the ethnologist himself.
When the candidate has learned from his master as nmch as he
M^ants to know— or, as is often the case, as much as the old man is
willing to tell him— he leaves him, and if his craving for knowledge
and instruction is not yet satisfied, he may go to a second medicine
man, and try to persuade him to impart some of his knowledge. It
often happens, however, that the particular medicine man he turns to,
after having completed his apprenticeship with the first one, feels
slighted because he has not been given precedence and refuses to
have anything to do with him.
There is no official rite of recognition or of acceptance of a new
medicine man. It is soon known that So-and-so is intending to become
one; that he is being instructed by Old Man X; even while he
is acquiring the art, he may be asked to give his advice in matters of
sickness, he may be asked to go and collect some simples, and so
gradually he steps into the profession and the practice. It may soon
be rumored about the settlement how successful he is in his treatment,
and gradually he acquires the reputation of a skillful medicine man;
in due course of time he may attain the honors of "powerful wizard."
Once the medicine man possesses the knowledge and the power it
assures him, there are a few things he has to be very careful about in
order not to lose these attainments.
First of all he must rigorously observe the taboo with regard to
catamenial women, (See p. 34.)
Nor should he ever attend a funeral, or take any active part in any,
such as making the coflin, digging the grave, etc.
Finally, he should on no account neglect, if one of his patients
should die during treatnient, to observe a rite of purification. As will
be seen (p. 139), this purification is incumbent on every inhabitant of
the settlement, but whereas with them* the nonobservance at worst