Olbrecdts] the swimmer MANUSCRIPT 103 



them again, after having copied them, for a watch, a buckskin, and 

 an overcoat. 



When taJving this course of instruction particular stress is laid on 

 the explanatory remarks which should accompany each formula (see 

 p, 158), and any ingredients, simples, and paraphernalia mentioned in 

 ther3 are also minutely described and explained by the tutor. This 

 instruction is given in a truly Socratic manner, and as I found out 

 myself, information is only dispensed so far as solicited. This is 

 probably the reason whj'- these medicine men are such line informants, 

 and why working with them is so profitable and remunerative; they 

 have been trained in the technique of asking and giving information, 

 and take so much interest in it, and are so visibly flattered by any one 

 attaching so much importance to the smallest detail of their knowledge 

 that once their initial reserve has been overcome they enjoy the work 

 as much as the ethnologist himself. 



When the candidate has learned from his master as nmch as he 

 M^ants to know — or, as is often the case, as much as the old man is 

 willing to tell him — he leaves him, and if his craving for knowledge 

 and instruction is not yet satisfied, he may go to a second medicine 

 man, and try to persuade him to impart some of his knowledge. It 

 often happens, however, that the particular medicine man he turns to, 

 after having completed his apprenticeship with the first one, feels 

 slighted because he has not been given precedence and refuses to 

 have anything to do with him. 



There is no official rite of recognition or of acceptance of a new 

 medicine man. It is soon known that So-and-so is intending to be- 

 come one; that he is being instructed by Old Man X; even while he 

 is acquiring the art, he may be asked to give his advice in matters of 

 sickness, he may be asked to go and collect some simples, and so 

 gradually he steps into the profession and the practice. It may soon 

 be rumored about the settlement how successful he is in his treatment, 

 and gradually he acquires the reputation of a skillful medicine man; 

 in due course of time he may attain the honors of "powerful wizard." 



Once the medicine man possesses the knowledge and the power it 

 assures him, there are a few things he has to be very careful about in 

 order not to lose these attainments. 



First of all he must rigorously observe the taboo with regard to 

 catamenial women, (See p. 34.) 



Nor should he ever attend a funeral, or take any active part in any, 

 such as making the coflin, digging the grave, etc. 



Finally, he should on no account neglect, if one of his patients 

 should die during treatnient, to observe a rite of purification. As will 

 be seen (p. 139), this purification is incumbent on every inhabitant of 

 the settlement, but whereas with them* the nonobservance at worst 



