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oIbrIchts] the swimmer MANUSCRIPT 239
men consulted during the editor's stay with the tribe give any information
on this subject].
The disease spirit is driven out by the Red Man, the Two Little
Red Men, and the Two Little Blue Men, all of whom carry threatening
switches in their hands, with which to thrash the intruder. The
formula as here given consists of three parts, each containing a song
and a prayer. It is quite probable that it had originally a fourth
part, which has been lost [in the course of tradition]. The treatment,
in regard to which both authorities agreed, consists of a simple rubbing
with the warm hands, as indicated in the last song. The medicine
man sings each verse while holding his hands over the fire, and
recites the following paragraph while rubbing the sore spot on the
patient's body, blowing four times upon the place at the close of
each paragraph.
46
Jt'a' ng-Vo't'i' i;^naDZ€-'no'tse'o'.[i^^] tsa'ndtsko°(.i'^^)
this to cure with when it does it to them that which they call, H
k*ulse"'Dzi' i;'skwa-ye*lo°'H wskwatT
(Honey locust) short body—Loc they have it (sol)
at the top
This (is) to Treat (Them) with When "It Affects Them in
Such a Way," as They Usually Call It
FREE TRANSLATION
Honey locust; venus looking-glass; red buckeye.
EXPLANATION
This is a prescription to cure an aggravated form of dyspepsia or
indigestion caused by overeating. The abdomen becomes swollen
and the patient has an insatiable appetite, but constantly loses flesh.
The medicine used is the bark of k*ulse''Dzi, Gleditsia triacanthos L.,
honey locust, and the roots of i;'skwaye"lo'°Si, Specularia perfoliata (L.)
A.DC, Venus looking-glass ; n'skwatT, AesculuspaviaL.jHed buckeye,
steeped in warm water overnight. Early next morning the medicine
man goes to the stream with the patient, who bathes himself all over,
and then drinks a little of the infusion, bathing himself from head
to foot with the remainder. The operation is probably repeated, if
necessary [according to the regular pattern].
^^Emendations by W.; recorded by editor.
7548°—32 17