Untitled - Smithsonian Institution

oIbrechts] the swimmer MANUSCRIPT 263
This is the Medicine When Their Teeth Ache
FREE TRANSLATION
Now, then! Now thou hast come to listen, thou White Squirrel,
thou art staying in the Sun Land. Quickly thou hast arisen, facing
us. The important thing has put Pain into (the tooth) from the
bottom up, and all around it, it seems. It is the very thing thou
eatest.
What has become a ghost, has merely changed the food. (But
now) thou hast quickly come to take it away in the direction of the
dark mountain slope. Over yonder, where moss grows, thou hast
gone to store it away. Who cares what happens to it! Sharply.
Gu, gu, gu, gu.
EXPLANATION
The toothache theory as shown in this formula is that a ghost
transmutes the particles of food lodged about the teeth into tcsko''ya
or worms, which burrow into the tooth, and thus cause the pain. The
theory, as will be noticed, is not so very far wrong.
The disease is represented as penetrating into the tooth from
underneath and as completely surrounding it with pain. The cure
is effected through the agency of the squirrel, which pulls out the
intruder, and takes it to the dark (i. e., north) side of the mountain,
where, in accordance with the habits of the squirrel, it hides it away
in a moss-covered (hollow) log.
In performing the ceremony the medicine man spits into his left
palm and rubs his right thumb upon it while reciting the formula.
He then holds his thumb a moment over the fire, after which he presses
it firmly upon the jaw of the sufferer over the aching tooth, repeating
at the same time the final "gu!" four times in succession. This is
intended to represent the cry of the squirrel when alarmed. The
operation is repeated several times, there being no strict rule as to
the number in ailments of this temporary character.
SGe" I
64
a'nm€*DZt*'.-i' yi;ne''ista*'ne!a' a'Da'nQ*'wo*tT I
their breast, Loc. if they have actiiug to cure anyone with
no-'Gwo" 'a't^irja-'nt-Ga' Gal^-'ldi Ditso'tlt'o'tsti'
Now, then! now thou hast come to listen above thou art staying
't'skuya' Gf'caGe"'" |
'iDa-'"w€!i'
|
DtOe'Mo'.se'J'
|
asGf'no
thou man red thou wizard thou penetratest thorn, ghost
i;-Do''no'i' i;'Dtle"Gi-GWO°' Ge'^Sfi' |
no'-GWO"
y'sonu-'li ulsGe-'D9
he has said Heat L it is, App. now quickly it important
t'a DiGo'tlt'aniGa' |
'tDa-'^We^t-'Dt'na'
u's'jnu-'li De^'t'li'tlfaniGa' I
thou hast come to push it thou wizard, E quickly thou hast come to put
away him on his (legs)