Untitled - Smithsonian Institution

192 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [RULL. 99
arms are stretched out to embrace and protect the settlements of
the tribe.
The medicine is an infusion of bark scrapings of sulic'yilGa' [(Hydrangea
cinerea Small). Another spocinion collected has been identified
as Clethra acuminata Michx., white alder]. i The patient drinlvs it to
induce vomiting, in order to tlirow off tlie disordered bile. The first
two paragraphs are recited by the medicine num eitlier while rubbing
the patient's abdomen or just before giving him the medicine to drink.
They then go down together to tlie river [or to some branch], and tlie
patient vonnts into the water. While standing by the watei'side tlie
medicine man recites tlie parts addressing tlie Long Human Being,
the Kingfisher, and the Fish Hawk. It is at this part of the proceed-
ings that the medicine man has lying upon the ground at his side a
piece of new cloth, upon which are placed two yellow beads, their
color corresponding ^\ith the color of the disease spirit, the goldfish, and
the pigeon. The cloth [and the beads] are furnished by the patient,
and are afterwards appropriated by the medicine man as his fee.
There is no taboo.
16
IVii nQ\vo-t'i' k'oMi' tst-Gg-'wamtlQ-'ist^.'i ^
this to cure with raccoon it is they make them ill, II
Dt"'t}aStOGt"sti tSt'nuDah'Ja"' ntGa"tf-yu' na.sld'
Gerardia they diflerent kinds all E this hero
This is to Treat (Them) With if the Raccoon Causes Them
TO BE III
FREE TRANSLATION
This is all the different kinds of Gerardias.
EXPLANATION
The main symptom of this disease is a sudden fainting spell, in
which the suft'erer falls down gasping for breath in a peculiar manner.
It probably results from a serious impairment of the digestive func-
tions, or may be identified with apoplexy.
The raccoon is held responsible for the sickness, from tlie fact that
the gasping of the fainting person somewhat resembles the cry made
bj' that animal when cornered by the hunter. The medicine man
further states that a small tuft of raccoon's hair, or a single raccoon's
hair, appeare on the hand, cheek, or some otlier part of the patient's
body (see No. 42, p. 229).
The medicine consists of an infusion or a decoction of the roots
of the several varieties of Di"tJastaGt"sti drunk by the patient while
still fasting, for four consecutive mornings.
« W. Dial. -tl->C. Dial. -ts-.