1921] 



BARRETT, THE BLACKFOOT SWEAT LODGE. 



79 



by the time this set of four songs had been ended, the steam had com- 

 pletely filled the small lodge and the humid heat had produced a profuse 

 perspiration. The steam was almost unbearable for the novice, who 

 several times was obliged to raise the lodge cover a fraction of an inch 

 and place his nose at the opening close to the ground to get at least a 

 breath of fresh air. 



Fig. 45. — "Cooling off" after the sweat bath. Black- 

 foot Reservation, Montana. 



During the second set of four songs, more water was placed on the 

 hot stones and the steam became even more suffocating, and the heat in 

 the lodge more intense. The bodies of all participants were literally 

 running, not dripping, with perspiration. 



After still another set of four songs, accompanied by more sprinkling, 

 the novice was asked to move out of the lodge, as the other two wished 



