192 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY 



[RULL. 99 



arms are stretched out to embrace and protect the settlements of 

 the tribe. 



The medicine is an infusion of bark scrapings of sulic'yilGa' [(Hy- 

 drangea cinerea Small). Another spocinion collected has been identified 

 as Clethra acuminata Michx., white alder]. i The patient drinlvs it to 

 induce vomiting, in order to tlirow off tlie disordered bile. The first 

 two paragraphs are recited by the medicine num eitlier while rubbing 

 the patient's abdomen or just before giving him the medicine to drink. 

 They then go down together to tlie river [or to some branch], and tlie 

 patient vonnts into the water. While standing by the watei'side tlie 

 medicine man recites tlie parts addressing tlie Long Human Being, 

 the Kingfisher, and the Fish Hawk. It is at this part of the proceed- 

 ings that the medicine man has lying upon the ground at his side a 

 piece of new cloth, upon which are placed two yellow beads, their 

 color corresponding ^\ith the color of the disease spirit, the goldfish, and 

 the pigeon. The cloth [and the beads] are furnished by the patient, 

 and are afterwards appropriated by the medicine man as his fee. 



There is no taboo. 



16 



IVii nQ\vo-t'i' k'oMi' tst-Gg-'wamtlQ-'ist^.'i ^ 



this to cure with raccoon it is they make them ill, II 



Dt"'t}aStOGt"sti tSt'nuDah'Ja"' ntGa"tf-yu' na.sld' 

 Gerardia they diflerent kinds all E this hero 



This is to Treat (Them) With if the Raccoon Causes Them 



TO BE III 



FREE TRANSLATION 



This is all the different kinds of Gerardias. 



EXPLANATION 



The main symptom of this disease is a sudden fainting spell, in 

 which the suft'erer falls down gasping for breath in a peculiar manner. 

 It probably results from a serious impairment of the digestive func- 

 tions, or may be identified with apoplexy. 



The raccoon is held responsible for the sickness, from tlie fact that 

 the gasping of the fainting person somewhat resembles the cry made 

 bj' that animal when cornered by the hunter. The medicine man 

 further states that a small tuft of raccoon's hair, or a single raccoon's 

 hair, appeare on the hand, cheek, or some otlier part of the patient's 

 body (see No. 42, p. 229). 



The medicine consists of an infusion or a decoction of the roots 

 of the several varieties of Di"tJastaGt"sti drunk by the patient while 

 still fasting, for four consecutive mornings. 



« W. Dial. -tl->C. Dial. -ts-. 



