38 BUREAU OF AMEEICAN ETHNOLOGY [bull. 64 



considerable pain, but is believed to have some esoteric virtue con- 

 nected with it. 



Decoctions made from the charred carcasses of animals at one time 

 were much employed, certain animals being regarded as specifics 

 for certain diseases. Thus, during an epidemic of w^hooping cough 

 {xinki sen) a decoction from the charred remains of the cane rat 

 was almost exclusively given to the children to relieve the cough, 

 though in this case it is difficult to trace the connection between 

 the remedy and the disease. 



Many eye troubles are treated by placing a small rough seed 

 beneath the lower lid of the affected eye, where it remains for a day; 

 when the seed is withdrawn it is covered with mucus, to which the 

 doctor points as the injurious matter, the cause of all the trouble, 

 which he has removed. 



Massage is practiced chiefly for uterine and ovarian pains by the 

 older women, who also act as midwives; it is used also in conjunc- 

 tion with kneading and manual manipulation in the cure of neuralgic 

 pains, strains, stiffness, and rheumatism. 



In confinements, which usually take place either in the hammock 

 or on the floor, the dorsal position is invariably assumed. In such 

 cases also massage over the uterus is performed by the midwife. 

 If the desired results are not secured, the patient is made to vomit 

 by thrusting a long coil of hair down her throat, while a woman of 

 exceptional lung power is sent for to blow into her mouth, with 

 the object of hastening delivery. 



The Indians use for medicinal purposes a great variety of plants 

 which grow in their country; some of these are purely empirical 

 remedies; others produce definite physiological results and are 

 frequently used with good effect, while a few, apparently on the 

 assumption that "similia similibus curantur," are employed because 

 of some fancied resemblance in form to the diseased part, as xhuduh 

 pelc, twin seeds of the size of small eggs, the milky juice of which is 

 used as an external application for enlarged glands and for various 

 forms of orchitis. 



The following plants are used medicinally by the Indians as 

 remedies for the diseases named, respectively: 



Acitz.— The milky juice of a tree, used as an application for chronic sores and 

 ulcers. 



Acam.—The leaves of this plant are applied hot to reduce the swelling and relieve 

 the pain in enlargement of the spleen and liver. 



Purgacion Xiu. — An infusion made from the leaves is administered warm in 

 bladder and urethral troubles. 



Pakaal. — An infusion made from the leaves of the orange tree is given as a sudorific. 



Pichi.—k paste made from the leaves of the guava is applied to "bay sore," a 

 specific ulcer somewhat resembling "oriental sore." 



Pomolche. — A mouth wash made from the milk of this tree is used in cases of sto- 

 matitis and ulceration of the mouth. 



