32 Mr. Bollaert on the 
CHIRITMANOS OF PERU. 
Some Account oF THE CHIRITMANOS OF PERU, AND OF THE 
MEDICINES SOLD BY THEM. By Wm. Bo trarrt, Esq., 
Corresponding Member of the Medico-Botanical Society 
of London. 
Tue following remarks I submit to the notice of the Medico- 
Botanical Society, not so much for their utility, as to shew 
the state of medicine, and its practitioners, in some parts of 
South America, and existing at the present time. During a 
residence in Peru, [had opportunities of collecting information 
relative to this class of people. The Chiritmanos are by some 
called the travelling doctors of Peru, and are Indians of Upper 
Peru, or (as it is now termed) Bolivia; their principal residence, 
when at home, is denominated the Tungas, where they col- 
lect the different herbs, seeds, roots, gums, &c. which gain 
them a living, vending them, and giving advice upon the dif- 
ferent diseases met with during their journeys. Their advice 
and knowledge of diseases only extend to the remedies they 
happen to have with them. Their remedies are but few, and 
seem to be as well known (that is, their names and supposed 
virtues,) to their customers as to themselves. Some idea 
may be formed of the distances they travel, when it is stated 
that they go from Upper Peru to Buenos Ayres, a distance 
of more than two thousand miles, and they are to be met 
with likewise all over the coast of Lower Peru; and these 
journeys are chiefly performed on foot. At first starting, 
several go together, with asses laden, and at certain points 
they diverge, some taking one road, some another: at times 
one only may be met-with, with a large wallet slung across 
the shoulder, containing the remedies, each done up in a 
little bag. 
These Indians are of the middle size, of a dark copper co- 
lour, rather coarse features, and what does not add to their 
beauty is the continual chewing of the “Coca,” (leaves of 
the Erythroxylon peruvianum, with a strong alkaline ash,) 
which give to the teeth and mouth a dirty green colour, and 
unpleasant smell. Their dress is composed of a coarse cotton 
shirt, withouta collar; smallclothes, made wide behind ; a jacket 
of coarse cloth, of the wool of the llama; sometimes stockings 
are worn, but without feet; sandals of hide; a large brimmed 
hat, of the wool of the llama or vicunna; the never-failing 
and useful poncho; and, lastly, a little bag, for toasted Indian 
corn, charqui, or dried beef, a few capsicums, and a gourd 
