THE INDIANS OF CAPE FLATTERY. 79 



tion heal very readily, which is to be wondered at, since their systems are so full 

 of humors, but it is very rare that suppuration occurs ; although in several instances 

 of bruises on the leg, or the skin, 1 have seen bad ulcers that were a long time 

 healing. 



The whole tribe are pervaded by a scrofulous or strumous diathesis which shows 

 itself in all its various forms ; enlargement and suppuration of the cervical glands ; 

 strumous ulcers in the armpits, and swelling and suppuration in the groin and 

 thigh. The strumous bubo is of common occurrence in infants, children of all 

 ages, and adults. These are invariably cut, I cannot say lanced, for the instrument 

 in all cases is a knife, and the wounds allowed to take care of themselves. Sores of 

 this description are considered by most of the white people of the territory to be 

 of syphilitic origin, but I am of opinion that such is not the case. This tribe is 

 remarkably exempt from diseases of a venereal nature ; and in a residence of three 

 years among them, during two of which I have dispensed medicines, but three 

 cases have come to my observation of syphilitic bubo. One was a squaw, who had 

 contracted the disease in Victoria ; the other two, men of the tribe to whom on her 

 return she had imparted it ; but I think I can safely assert that there is scarcely 

 an individual in the whole tribe but what has had strumous buboes or ulcerations 

 of the cervical glands at some period of life. Eruptive diseases, such as scald 

 head, ringworm, and a species of itch, are very common among infants ; all of 

 which, and their scrofulous tumors, may be attributed to filthy habits and the 

 nature of their food, which consists chiefly of fish and oil. A variety of the thorn 

 oyster is frequently thrown ashore after, heavy storms ; or is found in the root of 

 the kelp which has grown upon it, and, being torn up by the breakers, brings the 

 oyster ashore in its grasp. These are not eaten, but I have seen the fresh ones 

 made use of as a sort of poultice for boils, and also raw fish is occasionally applied 

 to the same purpose. Sometimes, when they wish to apply a rubefacient to tumors, 

 they use Pyrola elliptic^ which is bruised into a pulpy mass, and applied by means 

 of a bandage. This little plant is very common in the woods, and is capable of 

 producing a blister on the skin of a white person ; but the Indians seldom retain 

 it long enough to create anything more than a redness or inflammation of the part. 



One of their remedies to reduce a strumous turner is by means of actual cautery, 

 prepared from the dried inner bark of the white pine, which is applied by a 

 moxa or cone. The skin is first wet with saliva at the desired point ; the moxa 

 then placed upon it and set on fire. The bark burns very rapidly and causes a 

 deep sore, which is kept open by removing the scab as often as it forms, until 

 relief is felt. Sometimes they apply several of these moxas to the person at one 

 time. I have seen them give relief in many instances. This practice seems to be 

 a common one among all the coast tribes in the vicinity, and it is rare to see an 

 adult who has not scars produced by its means. 



Burning the flesh is also resorted to for other purposes. Boys will apply moxas 

 made of dried and partially charred pitch, to the back of the thumbs from the nail 

 to the wrist. When the sores heal, they leave scars or callous spots, which are 

 supposed not only to keep the bow-strings from hurting the hand, but to give a 

 steadiness of aim, so that they can throw their arrow s with more precision. I have 



