54 PHARMACAL PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



obtain. In many instances repeated inquiries elicited the mere state- 

 ment that it is "a very good medicine," or a suggestive motion of the 

 hands upward indicates that it is used as an emetic, while a motion 

 downward implies that it has laxative properties. In some instances it 

 is difficult to determine whether a plant is used for its food value alone, 

 or whether perhaps it also has some medicinal uses. It may be stated 

 that the medical practice of the Indians is not unlike the home medi- 

 cation among civilized peoples, differing largely in that it is more crude. 

 In both instances the remedies used have essentially the following prop- 

 erties, named approximately in the order of their importance: Dia- 

 phoretic and diuretic (drinks in the form of decoctions) ; laxatives, 

 emetics; astringents (used internally and externally), counter-irritants; 

 antiseptics ; sedatives and excitants. Indians have ascertained the fact, 

 though unscientifically deduced, that the majority of aches, pains, and 

 various pathological states are due to insufficient or abnormal action of 

 skin, kidneys, and bowels. Restore the normal functions of these organs, 

 and health returns ; hence the widespread use of diaphoretics, diuretics, 

 and laxatives. Cuts, bruises, sores, ulcers, and skin diseases are very 

 common and require attention. Most of the herbs applied for these 

 conditions have apparently counter-irritant and antiseptic properties. 

 The most indefinite ailments of Indians are the various pains and aches. 

 These may be rheumatoid, inflammatory, congestive, or otherwise. 

 Pains in the gastric or abdominal region receive a general treatment, 

 and are usually recognized as being different and requiring different 

 treatments from pains in the head and muscles. 



It must also be borne in mind that the medicine of the Indians of 

 to-day has been greatly modified through the influence of whites. Many 

 remedies are now used which were not used formerly, and many of the 

 old-time remedies have been discarded. The post physicians have 

 caused some tribes to become indifferent or lax in their tribal and indi- 

 vidual medication, because of the free medical service provided by the 

 United States. Furthermore, the savages soon recognize the superiority 

 of modern medicine and gradually abandon the services of the medicine 

 men, this in spite of the antagonism engendered through the invasion of 

 their territories by the whites. 





