SOURCE OF ST. PETEr's RIVER, 415 



iistino,) at Carlton House.* It is, however, sometimes used 

 to cure rheumatism, which disease is not a very common 

 one among them. To cure swellings they rub the skin 

 with roots and plants ; and sometimes use aromatic herbs, 

 to impart to their bodies a pleasant odour. When the pain 

 is internal, they very frequently make incisions in the 

 skin and suck up the blood, accompanying the operation 

 with songs. It is probable, from the relief which they de- 

 rive from this operation in certain cases, that they have 

 been led to expect the same abatement to their grief, or 

 disease of the mind, by resorting to a similar remedy, and 

 hence the practice of lacerating their arms, thighs, legs, 

 breast, &c. after the death of a friend. They generally, 

 however, accompany this with lamentations, which they 

 consider as affording great relief. In such cases they also 

 resort to liquor when they can get it, in order to drown 

 all care. Colonel Snelling mentioned to us, that when a 

 Dacota in the vicinity of his garrison loses any of his rela- 

 tions, he generally repairs to him with a note from the 

 Indian agent, desiring that he may receive a bottle of 

 whiskey. When asked by the Colonel what is the use 

 of the liquor on so melancholy an occasion, the Indians 

 uniformly answer, that it is to produce a flow of tears, for 

 indeed, without it, they are unable to cry. 



Sterility among women is by no means uncommon, nei- 

 ther is it disreputable. It frequently happens, that a wo- 

 man, reputed barren, will bear children if she change her 

 husband. Menstruation commences later among the Daco- 

 tas than among the Potawatomis, for, with the former, it 

 seldom comes on before the age of fifteen or sixteen, while 



* Franklin's Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, 

 Philadelphia, 1824, p. 67. 



