TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 627 
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 1. 
The following Papers were read :— 
1. A Study of Malaria in Ancient Italy.1 By W. H. 8. Jonzs. 
2. On a Cult of Executed Criminals in Sicily. 
By HE, Srpney Harruanp, F.S.A. 
3. The Blackfoot Medical Priesthood. By Joun Macunan. 
The author defined medicine men, or, to use a better term, the medical 
priesthood, as shamans, conjurers, doctors, prophets, and priests, and gave 
the different grades in the priesthood. The subject of initiation was then 
dealt with, and the course of instruction was outlined. Previous to this 
the would-be medicine man undergoes a period of voluntary seclusion, 
during which he fasts and sees visions. The dress and facial decoration of 
the fraternity were next described, and the sacred numbers were explained. 
The subject of disease was next treated, the Blackfeet being particularly 
prone to small-pox and consumption. The causes of the diseases were 
discussed, especially the influence which the belief in evil spirits has upon 
the minds and bodies of the natives. 
The author then treated of the medicine man in connection with religion, 
such subjects as animism, sacred stones, sacrifice, spiritualism, hypnotism, 
prophecy, and incantation being discussed, as well as medicine songs, 
charms, and amulets. 
Lastly, the author considered native medicines and remedies, and 
discussed the value of the work of the medicine men among the natives, and 
the influence exercised by them on the native religion.’ 
} Published in Liverpool Annals of Archeology and Anthropology, vol. ii., p. 97. 
? Published in he Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, September 18, 1909. 
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