268 TRIBES AND DIALECTS OF CONNECTICUT [eth. ann.43 



"Powder-post" is used as a healing powder for infants. It is 

 obtained by scraping the powder from the decayed beams and 

 rafters in old houses. 



Milk thickened with flour, with a generous sprinkling of black 

 pepper added, is an excellent remedy for dysentery. 



Horse-chestnut snuff is used to relieve head colds and catarrhal 

 conditions. 



Sufferers from rheumatism should carry a horse-chestnut hi their 

 pocket. A potato carried in the pocket will ward off rheumatism. 

 When the potato dries up it is discarded and replaced by a fresh one. 



For toothache the followmg poultices are applied: (a) Lye poultice, 

 prepared by mbcing wood ashes, corn meal or flour and water together 

 to form a paste, (h) Flour mixed with rum and sprinkled with pep- 

 per, (c) Ginger, cloves, pepper and allspice. 



Mustard poultices are applied to pains m the back, chest or 

 stomach. 



A poultice made by mLxing snuff and lard together is applied to the 

 chest to relieve congestion. 



The blue flag {Iris versicolor) is crushed and mixed with flour and 

 used as a poultice to allay pain. (A Montagnais remedy.) 



Sheep excrement mixed with the urine of the youngest child of the 

 family was formerly administered in cases of measles. It was thought 

 to have been effective m "driving out" the disease. 



Sounds, the white gristle lying along the backbone of a fish, are 

 used for glue. When dried they are also used to settle coffee. 



Pitch from pme, spiiice gum, beeswax, sassafras bark and leaves, 

 birch and sweet flag were chewed as a pastune. (Also Iroquois.) 



The following plants were made into teas and used as beverages: 

 Sassafras, spicewood, wintergi-een, Indian tea, sumac cluster, yarrow 

 and witch-hazel. (Also Iroquois.) 



April snow is melted and used as an eye wash. 



May snow water is good for the complexion. 



Wlien a girl marries a man who has the same name as her owm, her 

 bread will cure whooping cough. Bread for this purpose must be 

 obtained when the person who made it is out of the room. (Also 

 Nanticoke.) 



Saliva is good for sore eyes. 



Urine will cure chapped hands. 



Mutton tallow is applied to cuts and chapped hands. It is also 

 rubbed on boots and shoes to make them waterproof. 



To cure hiccoughs, engage the sufferer's attention suddenly, thus 

 causing him to forget the complaint. 



A mash made of "squaw" or "skook" (snake) berries is applied to 

 relieve sore breasts. 



The leaves of skimk cabbage {Spathyemajoetida) are rolled to about 

 the size of a pea and chewed as a cure for fits. 



