422 TRIBES OF THE UPPER MISSOURI [eth.ann.46 



talked of often enough around their firesides. Ages are numbered 

 by particular events that took place at the time they could first recol- 

 lect, and afterwards by certain remarkable years from time to time. 

 Though no Indian can be sure as to his exact age, yet he will not vary 

 more than a year or two as to the time. The cross ( X ) is not used in 

 counting or for any other purpose, neither does the dot or full comma 

 signify a moon or anything else. 



Medicine 



General Practice. — They are careful of their sick relatives and 

 particularly so in regard to their children or men in the prime of 

 life. Very aged persons do not, however, meet with such kindness 

 even from their own children, having become useless as a help in 

 camp. Besides being a burden in traveling and a bore and expense, 

 they are anxious to get rid of them and leave them on the plains to 

 die. It must, by no means, be inferred from this that the Indian 

 has no paternal feelings or affection ; from several instances of the 

 kind that have come under my observation I am assured it is their in- 

 ability to carry about and along with them aged people. These 

 Indians are poor, have but few horses and are constantly on the 

 move, in all weather, sometimes requiring flight; therefore every- 

 thing that might encumber in the way of baggage is thrown aside, 

 and among other rubbish is classed the aged of both sexes. I am 

 also told that it is often the desire of the aged to be left to die. To 

 keep up appearances with his people, the Indian will generally pay 

 a small doctor's bill for the relief of his aged relatives, but nothing 

 like the amount the same man would pay for his wife or child. To 

 explain their mode of practicing medicine, surgery, etc., we must 

 be somewhat prolix. 



In every camp there are several doctors, both men and women, 

 called by them divining men, who have the double reputation of 

 physicians and sorcerers. This is generally some old wretch who 

 is very ugly, of great experience, and who has art enough to induce 

 others to believe in his knowledge, and can drum, sing, and act his 

 part well. 



The present great doctor and soothsayer is named " Bull's Dry 

 Bones," a very old man who is now with me. This man was once 

 sick and died while the camp was traveling. His friends packed and 

 tied him up in several envelopes of raw hides, blankets, etc., and, 

 after duly crying over him, placed the body in the fork of a tree 

 as is their custom. By some means, however, the man came to life 

 and after great difficulty worked himself out of his bonds, traveled 

 and overtook the camp some days after they had left him. He stated 

 to them that during his decease he had been in other worlds, seen 



