SPECK] 



A MOHEGAN-PEQUOT DIARY 267 



For cases of fever caused by taking cold in the winter, the heart 

 of onion roasted in the coals of a fire is used. The heart is bound 

 on the wrist, hollow of the foot, and sometimes on the chest and hack 

 in severe cases. It is thought to "draw out" the trouble and reduce 

 congestion. A piece of the same inserted in the ear will cure earache. 



Some other interesting empirical cures not employing herbs and 

 some associated beliefs are as follows: 



To catch a black snake {Bascanium constrictor) alive and bite on 

 him from head to tail will cure toothache and prevent recurrence. 

 (Also an Iroquois belief, substituting the green snake {Liopeltis 

 venialis) for the black snake.) 



Fresh cow dung bound upon the face will cure a toothache. 



A black-snake skin worn round the waist next the skin will cure 

 rheumatism. 



To relieve chapped lips, rub the finger behind the ear, then over 

 the lips. 



Wax from the ear applied to insect stings will allay the irritation. 



To cure hiccough, think of a gray horse. 



Skunk oil, or goose grease, obtained by simply melting the fat, is 

 taken internally for colds. 



The fumes of a piece of leather in the fhe will hclj) colds. 



At the time of childbirth, if the infant is born with a "veil" it is 

 a sign that it is gifted with supernatural power. 



When children double up their fists and strike at their parents 

 they are told that their hands may drop off, or that they may lose 

 their fingers. 



The sensation of a hand gripping the shoulder is a sign of approach- 

 ing death. 



A cure for rheumatism is, let a quantity of earthworms and ants 

 rot together in a bottle and later rub the mass upon the painful part. 



The odor of the effluvium of the skunk is considered strength- 

 giving. 



The wild slippeiy elm grows near Mohegan in a few places. The 

 inner bark is kept by some of the Indians and chewed to relieve a 

 tight cough. 



Drippings of oil from eelskins are used as a healing ointment. 



Roots of Indian pipe are considered to be as good as quinine for 

 colds and pain. A tea is made of them. 



Slices of salt pork bound on the throat will relieve soreness. 



Salt pork is also used to allay pain caused by inflammation. 



The rind of salt pork is rubbed over the body where rash appears 

 in cases of measles and chicken pox. 



"Soot tea" is given to infants to relieve colic. It is prepared l)y 

 pouring boiling water over a small quantity of soot. 



