Howard] THE PONCA TRIBE 151 



Blueflag rootstock was pulverized and mixed with water or saliva 

 and the infusion dropped into the ear to cure earache; it was also used 

 to medicate eyewater. A paste was made to apply to sores and 

 bruises (p. 72). 



Oak and red elm bark were boiled in water and the decoction given 

 for bowel trouble (p. 75). 



Wild four-o'clock root was chewed and blown into wounds (p, 78). 

 Windflower also was used for wounds, externally or internally, and 

 was also used as a wash for sores (p. 82). 



The root of the blue cohosh was boiled and used as a fever medicine 

 (p. 83). 



For kidney trouble a decoction of wild black currant was used (p. 

 84). 



A wash for the inflammation of the eyes was made by steeping the 

 fruit of the wild rose (p. 85). 



Chokecherry bark and fruit decoctions were used as diarrhea 

 remedies (p. 89). 



The root of the Kentucky coffee tree was pulverized and mixed 

 with water and used as a rectal injection in cases of constipation. 

 A syringe made of an animal bladder and a bird leg bone was used in 

 connection with this (pp. 89-90). 



Shoes tringweed was used as a moxa in cases of neuralgia and 

 rheumatism. The stems were attached to the skin after having been 

 moistened at one end, and were then fired and allowed to burn down 

 to the skin (p. 93). Rabbitfoot was used similarly (pp. 97-98). 



Chamaesyce serpyllijolia (Pers.) Small was boiled and the decoction 

 drunk by young mothers whose flow of milk was scanty or lacking 

 (p. 99). 



The raw root of the pleurisy root was eaten for bronchial or pul- 

 monary trouble. It was also applied to wounds and sores (p. 109). 



The root of the tall milkweed was eaten raw as a remedy for stomach 

 trouble (p. 110). Wild mint tea was used as a carminative (p. 112). 



Prairie groundcherry root was used in the smoke treatment. 

 A decoction of the root was used for stomach trouble and headache. 

 A dressing for wounds was also made from it (p. 113). 



Hot plantain leaves were applied to the foot in order to draw out 

 a thorn or splinter (p. 115). 



Coralberry and buckbrush leaves were steeped to make an infusion 

 for weak or inflamed eyes (p. 116). 



Wild gourd was highly regarded as a medicine. It was called 

 "human being medicine" from its shape. GLlmore (p. 117) notes 

 that "as a remedy for any aUment a portion of the root from the 

 part corresponding in position to the affected part of the patient's 

 body is used — for headache or other trouble in the head some of 

 the top of the root is used ; for abdominal trouble a bit of the middle of 

 the root; and so on." 



