HRDLicKA] PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS 251 



In snake bites the wound may be sucked, but the principal remedy 

 is the peyote. Sometimes a piece of hot coal or burnin<2; wood is applied 

 to the wound and the patient is given to drink an infusion of charia 

 OT fresno (ash). 



The Tarahumare to-day seem to loiow nothing about trephining, 

 anoperation which was performed among them in the past to a limited 

 extent.'' The only actual operation learned of was castration. In at 

 least one case within recent years this was inflicted as a punishment 

 upon the lover of a married woman. 



The materia medica of the Tepecano consists of many herbs, and, 

 when these fail, are employed prayer, songs, and ceremonies. The 

 herbs most commonly used are [mIo amargo (native cinchona), Iterha 

 de San Antonio, and oak leaves, for calentura; yalo mvlato, mainly for 

 pains; hiculi (peyote, obtained from the Huichol), vervena, rosa de 

 castilla, the root of Jco-ho-te, and the seed of ci-ci-va. 



The practice of surgery is not developed to an extent beyond that 

 already indicated, but broken bones are given proper care. 



In difficult labor the patient is given to drink a decoction of Jierha 

 huena or rosa de castilla. 



The Huichol '' use but a few remedies except the all-important 

 peyote or liiculi. There is no isolation of patients. The sick rely on 

 the hiculi and the medicine-man, who treats by prayer, incantation, 

 and passes over the aching part with saliva. When the patient does 

 not improve, he lies in the sun, in the hope that it will help him. 

 When a person dies of any disease, everything in the hut is washed, 

 and the body of the dead is washed with pochote water, in imitation 

 of the holy water of the Catholics. 



The spring water of certain caves, particularly of the sacred cave 

 near Santa Catharina, is believed to have curative power. The 

 Huichol wash themselves with the water, which contains sulphure ted 

 hydrogen, and drink of it with a jicara (small bowl made from a 

 gourd), which is always to be found at the little pool.*^ 



The writer was told by the Huichol that they practise but little 

 surgery. They treat wounds with applications of water and with the 

 hiculi, and stop the flow of blood with lime juice and water; they 

 also apply to open wounds plasters of fat. The people offer in 



o See Lumholtz and Ilrdlicka, American Anthropologist, x, 1897, 389 et seq. The anatomical and 

 anthropometric description is liy the writer. 



6 See also C. Lumholtz, Unknown Mexico, New York, 1902. 



c A young Huichol, who came to this cave for cure, was seen by the writer to divest himself of every- 

 thing except his breechcloth, approach the little pool, and ofler aloud a long prayer, after which he draiik a 

 small bowlful of the water, with his hands applying more of the water to his body. It was a very im- 

 pressive performance. The cave is situated in a most rugged canyon and is difficult of access. At the 

 main entrance are shrines containing many sacred arrows and other offerings. Inside are numerous 

 decorated prayer sticks, shields, and other symbolic objects deposited by the paticnt.s. The cave is 

 nearly dark, but dry pine splints are always ready near the entrance for use as torches by the visiting 

 sick or convalescents. A Huichol family in gala dress was seen to visit the cave to offer thanks for some 

 benefit received. The secret of the location of the cave is jealously guarded, and the only way the writer 

 could induce a Huichol to guide him to it was to pose himself as a patient. 



