176 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



is very scarce among the eastern Indians and that, by reason of the 

 extermination of certain animals important to its ingredients, it 

 will be nearly impossible to replenish the stock. The passing away 

 and total annihilation of many of the eastern tribes is noted by the 

 red man as a fulfilment of the prophecy. 



The first chief was given permission to kill any beast or bird 

 from whom it was necessary to extract the life principle for the 

 medicine. He was also given the right to kill in the hunt for food 

 or furs to cloth his body any of the medicine beasts or birds if he 

 would first ask its consent and pardon. If refused he could not 

 inflict upon it a death wound by his arrows or otherwise. The 

 true medicine man still abides by this law. Entire secrecy is 

 imperative in this organization. If revelation is made of its 

 primal important secrets the penalty is swift and certain. 



Precautionary measures in relation to cleansing and purifying 

 the body are rigidly observed before participating in its conven- 

 tions or singing for the benefit of the sick. The indulgence in any 

 sensual appetite destroys the " charm " or efficacy of the medicine. 

 The sacred song is usually recited by one chanter who visits the 

 different tribal medicine bands of the nation. The gentle old 

 chief who officiated at my initiation has been the national chanter 

 of the Iroquois League for 47 years. If the song is repeated by 

 any one without the knowledge of the chanter, it is expected that 

 evil results will follow. 



When " called " to administer to a wounded or ill person, it may 

 happen that the patient fails to receive full recovery by one visit 

 of the society. In this case, as the " medicine " does not solicit 

 patients, it must be called again a second time and given a feast, 

 when the patient will be restored to health, if it is the will of the 

 Great Spirit, who is always asked to guide the red man and choose 

 for his best always. 



THE SENECA MEDICINE LODGE 



MRS CONVERSE'S STORY OF HER INITIATION l 



" Twenty-four hours before the berry moon first hangs her horn 

 in the night sky." This, the traditional call I understood when I 

 received it from the New T York State Iroquois Ne-gar-na-gar-ah. 



A day's journey by rail, 48 hours before the first quarter of the 

 June moon, brought me to the appointed place, the comfortable 

 farmhouse of an Iroquois chief. 



'From The Republic, St Louis, Mo., Oct. 23, 1892. 



