DENSMORE] NORTHERN UTE MUSIC 127 
TREATMENT OF. THE SICK 
Two native methods of treating the sick were in use among the 
Utes at the time this material was in preparation (1914-1916). In 
both these methods there was a dependence on supernatural aid, 
but in one method no material means were employed, while in the 
other method it was customary to administer herbs or other reme- 
dies. These two methods were also used by the Chippewa and 
Sioux,”” and following the precedent of those volumes the term 
“medicine man”’ will be used fo designate the person who depended 
entirely upon supernatural means and the term ‘‘doctor’’ to desig- 
nate the person administering herbs. The following section com- 
prises information given by Pa’gits (pl. 10, ¢), arepresentative of the 
first-named method, and Mrs. Washington, a representative of the 
second. Pa/’gitS explained the distinction between the two methods 
by saying that a medicine man, when treating a sick person, pro- 
ceeded according to directions from his supernatural adviser, given 
him at the time, while a doctor, under similar circumstances, stated 
first the authority by which he practiced his profession, describing a 
long-past vision, usually of a bird or animal. He said that medicine 
men did not buy songs of each other, as every medicine man pos- 
sessed the ability to secure songs in a supernatural manner. Doc- 
tors, on the other hand, were accustomed to buy and sell songs, the 
older doctors frequently transferring songs to younger men. A good 
remedy was worth a horse, this price including the herb, the history 
of its medicinal use, and the song without which it would not be 
effective. 
Pa’gits, whose material will first be presented, said that he was 
entirely independent of material means, not even using a rattle or 
wearing amulets or ‘‘charms’’ when treating the sick. He said that 
after seeing and questioning a sick person he could tell whether he 
could cure him. On being asked whether he ever began the treat- 
ment of a case concerning which he felt uncertain, he replied without 
hesitation that he never did so, saying, ‘‘ We believe that if a doctor 
begins on a case which he is not sure he can cure he will certainly 
fail.” Continuing, he said, “I always tell the person that he will 
get well because I know it is true;”’ also, “If the sick person does not 
think I can cure him I do not talk about it; I just cure him and 
prove it.” # 
Concerning the source of his power, Pa’gitS said that he treated 
the sick under the tutelage of a “little green man’’ and that numerous 
20 Bull. 45, Bur. Amer. Ethn., pp. 119-124; Bull. 61, Bur. Amer. Ethn., pp. 244-278. 
21 These statements are given in the words of theinterpreter. Care was taken that the form of a question 
did not suggest a possible answer, there being no desire to demonstrate the existence of mental treatment 
~among Indians, 
