THE INDIANS OF THE NORTHWEST COAST. 349 



SICKNESS. 



In cases of serious illness chief reliance was, up to recent years, 

 placed upon the incantations of the medicine meo, who were paid liber- 

 ally if the patient lived, or, if he died, were compelled to restore the 

 goods he had previously received on account. If any one other than 

 a shaman attempted to do anything to cure a sick person and the pa- 

 tient died, the self- constituted doctor had to pay a heavy indemnity to 

 the person's relatives. In out-of-the-way villages the shamans still have 

 a hold on the Indians, and in case of sickness one is called in by the 

 head of the household. If the latter falls sick it devolves upon his 

 brother or nearest male relative to call in the Indian doctor. On all 

 such occasions friends are invited in to see the evil spirits exorcised. 

 While these shamans possess some knowledge of the medicinal proper- 

 ties of herbs and are not slow to avail themselves of them, their duty 

 is to drive out the evil spirit which haunts the sick man. Any virtue 

 that medicines may in themselves have are ascribed to the charm sup- 

 posed to be wrought by the doctors in their decoction or preparation. 

 The incantations and exorcising consist in beating drums, danciug, 

 making passes with subtle charms, blowing in the patient's mouth and 

 nostrils, kneading and pounding his body, chanting, swinging to and 

 fro, frothing at the mouth, and every conceivable practice foreign to 

 our own ideas of the treatment of the sick. As a rule the patient that 

 survives the din, foul air, and excitement of such a visit must needs 

 have been on the high road to recovery, for the shaman usually con- 

 tinues this performance until the patient declares himself better or 

 well. 



The initiation, practices, rites, exhibitions, dances, and incantations 

 of these medicine men deserve separate consideration as connected in- 

 timately with their religious beliefs and customs. In connection with 

 witchcraft, it may be said that the shamans are supposed to possess 

 the power of charming away life by incantations and the use of certain 

 charms. In such cases, where tlie cliarge can be reasonably laid at 

 their door, they are not beyond the reach of a kinsman's revenge. 



MEDICINES. 



The internal administration of native medicines is rarely practiced. 

 Wounds and injuries are treated locally with several specifics known 

 to them, and scarification is sometimes resorted to. Hemorrhages are 

 stopped by the application of bird's down to the wounded parts. The 

 healing qualities of pine and cedar are recognized, and pine-tree gum 

 is applied as a poultice to wounds by some tribes. Salt-water taken as 

 an emetic is a favorite remedy for those not feeling well. This is also 

 taken when they wish to produce quickly that profound impression on 

 body and mind which fasting brings about in preparation for some or- 

 deal or ceremony. As stated, the virtue of any medicine administered 



