CHAP. xii. CAUSES OP DISEASE AMONG INDIANS. 1!)1 



The late Dr. Darling, Government surgeon at Mauitou- 

 alin, had many excellent opportunities of studying the 

 constitution of wild and half-civilised Indians. As many 

 as 5,800 Indians would assemble on that island, in Lake 

 Huron, about eighteen or twenty years ago, to receive 

 their annual presents. In a report drawn up for the 

 information of the Commissioner appointed to investigate 

 the condition of the Indians in Canada, in 1844, Dr. 

 Darling says : 



The diseases to which the Indian tribes are most subject, are 

 those arising from original weakness of constitution ; the causes 

 of debility may be imputed to the severity of their climate, 

 their irregular mode of life, constant exposure, deficient clothing, 

 wanting in nutritious food, filthy habits, the alternate periods 

 of repletion, want, and drunkenness, producing more or less 

 derangement of the digestive organs. 



only part used, and the proper time for collecting it is in the latter part 

 of October, when it will be found full and plump. It is an active and 

 certain cathartic. A resinoid, called Podophyttm, is prepared from the root, 

 which contains all its properties in a concentrated form. This is more ex- 

 tensively used by all classes of practitioners, and as au aperient and alterative 

 medicine it takes with the eclectic physician the place of mercurials. 



SLIPPERY ELM BARK ( Ultmts ftdca). The inner bark is the part used. 

 It is a valuable demulcent and emollient, and in the form of effusion has 

 been found highly beneficial in inflammation of the stomach and bowels. 



STRAMONIUM (Datura stramonium'). All parts of the plant are medicinal. 

 It is a powerful narcotic, poisonous in large doses. 



BLOODROOT (Sanguinaria Canadcnsis). The root is the only part used in 

 medicine. It is a powerful and valuable remedy, acting in small doses as a 

 stimulant and expectorant, in over doses producing nausea and vomiting. 



WILD CHERRY BARK (Prunus Virgineanct). The inner bark is the part 

 used, and is strongest when gathered late in the fall. Its taste is agreeably 

 bitter and aromatic, with the peculiar flavour of bitter almonds. This bark 

 unites with a tonic and stimulant a sedative influence.* 



* A list of Canadian medicinal plants has been published by Mr. W. 

 Saunders of London, Canada. 



