144 proceedings: anthropological society 



ference of ethnic origin no doubt led to differences in culture, each 

 modified in its development by its environment. 



At a meeting of the Society, held November 17, 1914, in the Public 

 Library, Rev. Dr. John Lee Maddox, Chaplain in the United States 

 Army, read a paper on The Spirit theory in early medicine, based in 

 part upon a larger paper submitted as a thesis at Yale University. 

 After stating the general primitive theory, still more or less preva- 

 lent among the uneducated, that disease and death are abnormal, 

 the work of malevolent spirits or of witchcraft, he undertook to show 

 that many of our modern medical practices and remedies are the di- 

 rect descendants of old-time methods and drugs intended to cure the 

 patient by driving out the evil disease spirit through fear or disgust. 

 According to this theory, bitter medicines originated in the revolting 

 doses administered by the primitive medicine men in order to disgust 

 the disease demon with his human habitation; massage originated 

 in the beatings and poundings through which the evil spirit was fright- 

 ened out of the patient's body; and bleeding and cupping, as also 

 trephining, were originally intended to facihtate its exit. Through 

 long centuries of experience, even with an incorrect theory, it was 

 found that certain drugs and remedies had a beneficial effect upon 

 disease conditions indicated by certain symptoms, and that gentle 

 massage and limited blood letting also might be helpful. Thus the 

 correct practice developed long before the correct theory. As ex- 

 amples of recognized standard remedies derived from Indian doctors, 

 he instanced ipecac and quinine and traced their history from their 

 first introduction to European medical notice until their final accept- 

 ance. The paper was discussed by Dr. Fewkes, Dr. Moore, Dr. 

 E. L. Morgan, Mr. Mooney, and others. Dr. Fewkes drew illus- 

 trations from the Hopi Indians, Mr. Mooney from the Cherokee, 

 and Dr. Moore from the St. Lawrence Island Eskimo. 



Daniel Folkmar, Secretary: 



