22S EXPEDITION TO THE 



simple system of ctliics agrees better with that ot the white 

 man than is generally admitted, considers suicide as an 

 improper act; it does notappear to him to accord with the 

 wishes of the Great Spirit; he that gave us life, says 

 Wennebea, has alone the power of taking it away. 



Music seemed to have a powerful effect upon him, and 

 particularly martial music ; he expressed himself in enthu- 

 siastic terms on the su])ject; while at Fort Crawford he 

 seemed delighted with the reveille. The bugle was his fa- 

 vourite instrument. When asked why he preferred it, his 

 answer was, that its notes were so fme, he fancied they 

 must reach the ear of the Great Spirit himself; whenever 

 the sound of the bugle was heard, his attention was imme- 

 diately directed to it ; his eyes sparkled and his language 

 became more animated. 



The principal disease of the Sauks is one, the nature of 

 which we could not well ascertain from his description of 

 it; it is different from dysentery, (being at all times unat- 

 tended by bloody discharges;) neither is it the hemorrhoids 

 or hernia. It appears to be a mortification of the intestinal 

 canal or duct, which is brought on by the use of green corn, 

 unripe fruits and vegetables, &c. ; it is more common 

 among men tlian women. If timely remedies be not ap- 

 plied, it proves fatal in the course of four days ; the dis- 

 ease is unaccompanied by pain. He declined mentioning 

 the remedies which have been successfully applied, as 

 he entertains the common superstition on this subject. 



Intermittents appear to be very prevalent. The 

 small-pox has been' known at different periods ; our 

 guide, who is about thirty-live years of age, recollects two 

 periods, but does not know at what interval of time they 

 happened ; it is thought that it will shortly recur among them. 

 Of parturition and gestation, his account agreed with that 



