Hoffman.] ^^^ [May 3, 



were gathered at specifled times, and preserved in special ways, each sep- 

 arately wrapped or inclosed in a small bag, and ultimatelj'' suspended from 

 the rafters of the attic ready for use. This custom was not a new one, but 

 merely the perpetuation of a practice transmitted through preceding gen- 

 erations, and the custom survives even at the present day. 



Although many of the plants used are well known to possess the thera- 

 peutic properties attributed to them, and their selection seems to be based 

 upon sound principles, yet the greater part of them are coupled with some 

 form of supei'stitious belief, either pertaining to the time of gathering, 

 method of preparation or administration. 



There are numerous instances in which certain plants are supposed to 

 possess special virtue in particular diseases, on account of their fancied 

 resemblance to some part, or organ, of the human body ; and others again 

 where color plays an important part in their selection. 



Among the less intelligent and truly illiterate prevail the practice of 

 laying-on of hands, breathing upon the affected part, charms, incantations, 

 exorcism, making passes with the hands and crosses with the index finger, 

 at the same time pronouncing the name of .Jesus and coupling therewith 

 some act in His life ; besides various other mysterious actions seemingly 

 for the purpose of impressing tlie credulous and superstitious. Such prac- 

 tices are still indulged in, and when a patient suffers from an insignificant 

 disorder which in due time disappears, the restoration to healtli is accred- 

 ited to the operator and consequently adds to his already established 

 reputation. 



The several methods of procedure just mentioned are seldom practiced 

 by the same person. Tliere are individuals of both sexes who become 

 famous for success in special complaints ; one may have a specialty in 

 erysipelas and other inflammatory diseases ; another may be noted for his 

 success in arresting hemorrhage, and still another may be celebrated as 

 the possessor of a "mad-stone," which is often equally applied to the 

 bites of rabid dogs and venomous serpents. 



To another class may be relegated the workers of evil, witches or Jiex'a. 

 In opposition to these, to cure sickness or to remove spells, are a class of 

 sorcerers who work countercharms, frequently employing mystic writ- 

 ings, charms and fumigations. Some of these even go so far as to profess 

 the power of producing good or evil effects upon absent persons, regard- 

 less of distance, and in this respect they occupy a position identical with 

 that of the Indian medicine man or shaman. 



Another form of cure is by the transference of disease, either to some 

 person or animal or to an inanimate object ; sometimes a disease is cast 

 out at a specified time or upon the fulfillment of certain injunctions. 



Investigation proves conclusively that some of the superstitions and 

 practices found in Pennsylvania were introduced by the colonists from 

 the countries from which they had emigrated ; and it is evident, also, chat 

 others of them have become modified, as were deemed necessary, or were 

 changed by the adoption of new methods resulting from a new environ- 



