237 



engaged at something in which I received th^^ combined assistance 

 of my interpreter and his father-in-law ; but during the whole of 

 the time the young man kept his head turned away from the old 

 man, and would not for any consideration speak to him. 



48. Brothers and sisters may both see and converse with each 

 other. 



Disease and Death. 



49. When any of them become sick they suppose " Gnabya " 

 is angry (6), and they attribute the cause of death also to him. 

 I must admit that I have had some difficulty in getting informa- 

 tion relative to this sul)ject. Without being able to explain it 

 they seem to have some idea of the mystery of death, but very 

 few of them will converse on the subject. 



50. Nearly all complaints are treated in the same manner, 

 that is by continually rubbing the affected parts with the inner 

 bark and leaves of a Eucalyptus tree, heated over a fire. About 

 two years ago influenza broke out among the natives here, and I 

 have witnessed, with very great interest, this practice of rubbing 

 the body with Eucalyj^tus leaves. The patient lies, face down- 

 wards, close to a slow fire. The doctor, or operator, also sits close 

 to the fire, with a large heap of leaves close at hand. He keeps 

 up a continual rubbing of the body with these leaves heated over 

 the fire, and from this treatment they appear to obtain great 

 relief. In cases of venereal disease, the person suffering will 

 go into very muddy water and remain there for hours, and 

 apply clay to any open sore. During the cold season they are 

 covered with ringworm, which they cure with applications of a 

 solution made of the dark gum that exudes from the gum-trees ; 

 but they are not particular about getting rid of the eruption, and 

 pay very little attention to its cure. For rheumatic pains the 

 bleached bones of a kangaroo, pounded to a fine powder and 

 rubbed on to the affected parts, are considered to be a certain 

 cure. 



51. They think that " Gnabya " makes them unwell, but 

 beyond the lamentation of " Gnabya ! Gnabya ! Gnabya ! " there 

 does not a2:)pear to be any further apjDeal to him for relief or 

 assistance in any of their troubles. 



53. On the death of a native, his relatives assemble round 

 his body and, as soon as they are assured of his death, they beat 

 themselves about the head with sticks and sharp stones until the 

 blood streams down their faces, old men and women crying aloud 

 like children. After a time, when the mourners have modified 

 their grief, four male relatives or friends will enfold the body in 

 many wraps of " paper-bark," and they then prepare a staging or 

 platform among the branches of a fairly-well shaded tree, on 

 which they place the body, where it remains until all the 



