PYGMIES OF THE ITURI FOREST 345 



During this meeting in the hut, one oi the women 

 was suddenly seized with an attack of fits, flaiUng and 

 tossing upon the floor until the others were thrown 

 into a state of terrified commotion. None among the 

 blacks stirred a hand to aid her, but all with one accord 

 looked to me for help. 



Fits were not in my Hst of ailments for treatment, 

 nor could I recall one item in my medicine chest that 

 might be effective in reheving the woman. In this 

 state of uncertainty, I glanced about the room, my 

 gaze faUing upon a large bottle of vinegar that was 

 always kept upon the table because Jones would not 

 eat certain tilings without the assistance of this season- 

 ing. Quickly fiUing a glass with this condiment, I 

 handed it to one of my boys, teUing him to pour it 

 down the woman's throat. She swallowed it readily, 

 ceased her flounderings at once, sat up, bHnked several 

 times, rolled her eyes ecstatically and stood up. With 

 a pleased smile she surveyed the interior of the hut and 

 after a Httle jabbering with a neighbor, inquired through 

 the interpreter if I would let her have another glassful! 



The Ifi medicine men have some interesting practices 

 in connection with the use of herbs found in the forest. 

 There is very little sickness among the pygmies, except- 

 ing that ringworm and other skin affhctions are much 

 in evidence, but no matter what the bodily ill or hurt, 

 the few herbs with which they are famihar must suffice. 

 I asked the medicine man what was his procedure in 

 the case of a snake bite. He rephed he ran into the 

 forest and obtained the root of a certain plant which 

 he then burned, rubbing the ashes into the wound, 

 which had previously been opened with a knife. When 

 I inquired whether this treatment always cured the 



