Feb., 1905. Oraibi Natal Customs — Voth. 51 



short time, and the woman's life saved. The child, however, was dead, 

 but they believed it had been dead for some time. In another case 

 the womb failed to expel the placenta. He also employed the so-called 

 ** Crady's method " of external manipulation, without being aware, to be 

 sure, of the fact that at least that part of his obstetrical skill had long 

 been sanctioned by such high authority, and for a long time had been 

 taught in text-books and lectures on obstetrics. An old woman, acting 

 in the capacity of a midwife, who was also present, gently pulled on 

 the cord, for which purpose she had to partly introduce her hand, 

 as the cord had been torn off inside of the external opening, and in 

 a very short time the placenta was expelled. 



Decoctions of all kinds are also resorted to in cases of protracted 

 labor. One of the favorite herbs is weasel medicine (Piwdnnga, 

 Linum rigidum Pursh), a decoction of which is used externally and 

 internally; because, they say, the weasel, when in danger of being 

 raptured, rapidly digs its way through the ground, and "comes out" 

 at another place. For this reason the meat, fat, and where these cannot 

 be obtained, even a piece of the skin of the weasel are favorite " medicines " 

 in cases of difficult labor. Other favorite herbs, used for various purposes 

 during the childbed period, are such as Votdkvala (Chrysothamnus gnapha- 

 loders Green), which is given especially if the uterus fails to contract 

 properly, or a disturbance in the lochial discharges occur. The drug 

 is given in the form of a decoction prepared from the leaves and roots 

 of the plant. Hohdyaqnga (Hesquerella cinerea Watson) is sometimes rub- 

 bed on the abdomen in case the uterus refuses to contract promptly after 

 parturition. The roots of " blood medicine " (Ungvnga, Eriogonum 

 annuum Nutt) are crushed and boiled, and the decoction given against 

 postpartem hemorrhage. Tdingwa (Reverihonia arenaria Gray) is given 

 for the same purpose. " Bluebird blossom " (Ch6rzci, Aster canescens 

 viscosus Nutt) is given, in the form of a decoction, to parturient women 

 against almost any disorder. "Charm remedy " (Ndapalnga, Solidago 

 pumila Nutt) is considered to be a good remedy against pain in the 

 breasts, and also for decreasing and even drying up the flow of milk in tne 

 breasts, from which it is also called " milk-throwing-away remedy" 

 (HitQwannga). It is cooked in connection with corn, from which it 

 is also called "corn-cooked remedy" (Kadkwipnga). Women who have 

 a scanty flow of milk chew the leaves of mdha (Hygodesmia juncea dian- 

 thaeflora). For the same purpose " milk remedy " (Binga, Ptiloria pauci- 

 flora) is employed in the form of a decoction, which is used internally 

 and externally, or the roots are chewed and eaten by the patient, 

 or chewed and then rubbed on the patient's breasts by the "doctor." 



There are numerous other herbs and various leaves, preparations 



