1953} 



RITZEN'THALER, CHIPPE^X•A HEALTH 



197 



arched in the middle and the ends set into the ground (Fig. 7). This is 



completely covered with birch-bark or blankets. For the Midewiwin it was 



built large enough to hold four men, but those built for curative purposes 



are built with two poles and just large enough for one. When the sweat- 



I lodge is finished heated stones are carried inside, the patient strips and 



1 sprinkles water on the stones with a bunch of grass or cedar boughs, creating 



^ steam. The water may contain medicine, or may be used alone. In the one 



instance I observed, cedar boughs had been steeped in the water. According 



I to Densmore (1928, p. 331), "After the bath the person was thoroughly 



I rubbed, warmly wrapped, and put to bed." Densmore continues, "Another 



method of steaming was used chiefly for rheumatic limbs, and with the 



water they put any sort of medicine which was supposed to be good for that 



ailment. In giving this treatment a hole was dug in the ground the size 



of the kettle containing the hot decoction. Thev put the kettle into this 



hole and the person sat beside it, covering his limbs closely with a blanket. 



A medicine frequently used in this connection was identified as willow 



I (species doubtful). The prepared root was put in hot water and allowed 



^to hoil a short time. It was usually cooled before using. 



FIG. 



-Sweat-lodge. 



