210 A JOURNEY TO THE 



1771. blowing into the anus, or into the parts adjacent, till their 

 "^ " eyes are almost starting out of their heads : and this operation 

 is performed indifferently on all, without regard either to age 

 or sex. The accumulation of so large a quantity of wind is 

 at times apt to occasion some extraordinary emotions, which 

 are not easily suppressed by a sick person ; and as there is no 

 vent for it but by the channel through which it was conveyed 

 thither, it sometimes occasions an odd scene between the 

 doctor and his patient ; which I once wantonly called an 

 engagement, but for which I was afterward exceedingly sorry, 

 as it highly offended several of the Indians ; particularly the 

 juggler and the sick person, both of whom were men I much 

 esteemed, and, except in that moment of levity, it had ever 

 been no less my inclination than my interest to shew them 

 every respect that my situation would admit. 



I have often admired the great pains these jugglers take to 

 deceive their credulous countrymen, while at the same time 

 • they are indefatigably industrious and persevering in their 

 efforts to relieve them. Being naturally not very delicate, 

 they frequently continue their windy process so long, that 

 I have more than once seen the doctor quit his patient with 

 his face and breast in a very disagreeable condition. How- 

 ever [191] laughable this may appear to an European, custom 

 makes it very indecent, in their opinion, to turn any thing 

 of the kind to ridicule. 



When a friend for whom they have a particular regard is, 

 as they suppose, dangerously ill, beside the above methods, 

 they have recourse to another very extraordinary piece of 

 superstition ; which is no less than that of pretending to 

 swallow hatchets, ice-chissels, broad bayonets, knives, and the 

 like ; out of a superstitious notion that undertaking such 

 desperate feats will have some influence in appeasing death, 

 and procure a respite for their patient. 



On such extraordinary occasions a conjuring- house is 

 erected, by driving the ends of four long small sticks, or 



