252 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 34 



sacred places, in specially constructed little houses or shrines, but 

 also in caves and on high rocks, many interestingly decorated prayer 

 sticks, asking the deities for cures. '^ 



The Cora, like the Huichol, are extensively treated by their medi- 

 cine-men with prayers and incantations, sucking of the affected 

 parts, and pretended neutralization of the bad blood of the disease 

 by means of fumes of a cigarette blown on the sore parts or saliva 

 smeared thereon dm-ing incantations. 



Khi-ik is a talega, or pouch, made from the cuirass of the armadillo. 

 Such a pouch is not only used as a receptacle for a few special articles, 

 but is supposed to have medicinal powers of its own. Small pieces 

 cooked in water are a remedy for pains in the stomach. 



In consumption, which, though rare, occurs in the tribe, the patient 

 endeavors to find a rattlesnake and to cut off his head and tail before 

 the reptile is angered. The body of the snake is then washed, 

 toasted, and dried and a piece of it is taken with each meal. 



A bed is made of the leaves of the mos-to-cM, an aromatic tree 

 smelling somewhat like mint, for patients withfrios (malaria). 



Sweating is employed in rheumatism. 



A decoction of gartichas (small lizards) is used for pains in the 

 shoulders and body. 



Snake bites are cured by the Cora in the following manner: As 

 soon as possible after a bite is inflicted a pig is caught and, its snout 

 having been cut off, the raw surface is applied to the wound ; some 

 of the animal's blood diluted with warm water is drunk. 



A gunshot wound is treated with slaked lime. Wlien fractures 

 occur, reduction and healing are aided by the use of splints and 

 bandages. No surgery is employed. 



The Otomi of Hidalgo continue to use many native remedies. 

 Some of these have been adopted by the neighboring Mexicans. 



For rabies the Otomi (and now also the Mexicans) around Atengo 

 use an infusion of a plant known by them as deshanoi} One leaf of 

 this plant is given to the bitten person in an infusion. Usually the 

 leaf is thoroughly crushed and mixed with a cup of hot water. If 

 any symptoms of rabies have already appeared, the patient is 

 given two leaves or even three leaves at once, but more would be 

 regarded as dangerous to life. Among plants more frequently 

 used is aconite, the leaves of which are pasted on the sore spot in 

 facial neuralgia or on the temple in headache. MuiJcle is a green 

 herb, often specially cultivated, whose leaves when cooked turn the 

 water red. A decoction of it is used for disorders of the stomach. 

 Panathi {" hot fire") is a caustic plant which grows to 2 feet in height 



a See collections in the American Museum of Natural History. 



b An educated Mexican of the district to whom this remedy is known, and who h'mself has admin- 

 istered it, told the writer the plant is the Fullldora capolinata. The native uam'j translated means 

 •' kihs mice " ('' mata ratons "). 



