was not immediately obeyed, but observance in any but 
the deepest areas of the Jungle was made virtually im- 
possible. It is now believed, however, that the practice 
has been completely effaced. 
CONCLUSION 
In order to appreciate the full significance of the ordeal 
in the minds and lives of these primitive people, it would 
be necessary to live in intimate contact with them. A|- 
though this is rarely feasible, a certain understanding 
may be gained by viewing the situation psychologically. 
Consider the native in relation to his spiritual beliefs. 
Most of his life was spent under the pall of uncertainty 
and fear concerning the evil spirit who inhabited his 
whole universe. His mind was ruled by the thought of 
what their malign influence could do to him or to his 
family. When viewed in this light, the ordeal was a god- 
send for him in the simplicity and efficacy of its action. 
No longer did he feel that he had no defense against these 
mysterious powers. 
When considered from a purely material viewpoint, 
his secular life was also immeasurably strengthened in 
security. Here was his defense against any wrong done 
to him. Here was a swift and simple method for deter- 
mining the truth of a situation. It mattered little to him 
that, occasionally, a person he knew was innocent would 
be declared guilty, for his faith told him that both he 
and that person had been ignorant of the other’s uncon- 
scious sin. 
Naturally, the basic fallacy of his beliefs are evident 
when considered today. But even here the situation is 
not completely implausible. For, although psychoso- 
matic interrelationships as yet constitute a little-explored 
field, it is common knowledge that this relationship ex- 
ists, and that in certain cases it may exercise a definitely 
[ 311 J 
