76 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [Bxill. 90 



Other prophylactics. — These are of an individual nature and are used 

 not only against contagious but against any kind of diseases. They 

 are charms prepared from the skunk (m'^la') and the buzzard (su'li'), 

 "The odour of skunk ... is believed to keep off contagious diseases, 

 and the scent bag is therefore taken out and hung over tlie doorway, 

 a small hole being pierced in it, in order that the contents may ooze 

 out upon the timbers. At times, as in the smallpox epidemic of 

 1S6G, the entire body of the animal was thus hung up, and in some 

 cases as an additional safeguard the meat was cooked and eaten and 

 the oil rubbed over the skin of the person." ^^ 



Buzzard feathers are hung over the doorway, and I have also 

 witnessed a case where the whole carcass was hung up in the room and 

 was allowed to decay there; a measure the prophylactic value of 

 which many of us will be prone to doubt. 



The buzzard is used in this connection because of its habit of 

 prejdng on decayed carcasses and rubbish; as he is imnnme from anj'" 

 ill effects, "caused by the bad odors," he is supposed by the Cherokee 

 to be immune from disease-contracting propensities, and therefore to 

 be able to communicate this valuable trait to those who keep his 

 feathers, etc., as a charm. 



Another contagious disease the Cherokee are in great dread of is 

 whooping cough. As soon as there is known to be a case in the settle- 

 ment parents prepare a decoction of ywct'i' {Eryngium yuccijolium 

 Michx'., rattlesnake master, button snakeroot) and administer it to 

 all of their children which they consider susceptible of contracting 

 the ailment. 



Various simples are used to help children grow into fine specimens 

 of manhood or womanhood, without their deserving the privilege 

 of being listed under the caption of prophylaxis. There is one 

 medicine, however, in a decoction of which babies are to be bathed 

 every new moon: k'ane'si' (Orontium oguaticum Ij,, goldenclub). 



Measures to prevent toothache are numerous. When you see a 

 shooting star you must immediately spit, else you will lose a tooth. 

 If you always heed this injunction you will keep all your teeth sound 

 as long as you live. 



Never throw the renuiins of anytliing you have chewed (a quid of 

 tobacco, the skin of an apple in which you have bitten, etc.) into the 

 fire; "else the fire will chew your teeth." 



Another means, not so simple but even more efficacious: Catch a 

 "green snake" (a snake about 50 cm. long; not poisonous) and hold it 

 horizontally extended by neck and tail; then run it seven times back 

 and forth between the two rows of teeth, after which turn it loose. 

 No food prepared with salt is to be eaten for the first four days follow- 



"Muouey, J., Mylhs of the Cherokee. Nineteenth Ann. Rcpt. Bur. Amer. 

 Ethn., Washington, 1900, pp. 2G5-266. 



