1875.] T. H. Hendley— An Account of the Maiwdr Bhlls. 363 



sion is, that the germ enters by the skin, and is mainly due to the filthiness 

 of the people, whose legs often remain coated for days with mud. This is also 

 no doubt a principal cause of the prevalence of skin affection, although poor 

 food and hardship here are powerful aids. The priests are the chief physicians, 

 although most old men are supposed to know something about medicine. 

 Hoots and leaves of trees are used in various forms. Here follows a descrip- 

 tion of a few : 



Kath&r.—K tree, when 5 feet high used in medicine ; if larger, of no 

 value. Its root is bruised and applied to swellings about the jaws. 



Paderi. — A tree from 12 to 15 feet in height, the moistened bark of 

 which is applied to the part bitten by the Kalgandha snake. 



Tinpattd. — A creeper with a tripartite leaf. The root in use locally 

 for snake bite and swellings. 



Mmnd. — A tree. The root used in bruises also, with wine and lime 

 juice. If the blood in the wound coagulates, it is said to find its way out 

 by natural channels. The smaller trees only in use. 



Sat or Bard Midd. — In fevers accompanied with dry swollen tongue 

 and bad smell. Used to wash out the mouth, 



Phut Bliangrd. — The powder of a small shrub, to incised wounds, twice 

 a day. 



Kajerd. — 3 to 4 feet high. In purulent tiger's wounds. Apply twice 

 a day. 



Jhamndth. — A broad thorny tree, 8 to 9 feet high. A piece of the 

 root with a portion of Kajera (with one knot only in it), once a day in 

 cases of fracture. The linib must be bound. If given twice, two knots are 

 formed in the bone. 



Insanity is uncommon, perhaps unknown, as we should expect in a 

 savage race with the mind rude and uncultivated and little to excite it. I" 

 have never seen a case of mania, and only one or two of dementia in old 

 age. The Bhils recover well, though slowly, after surgical operations. 



Dr. Mullen, in his report on the health of the Maiwar Bhil Corps for 

 1870, mentions that venereal affections are unknown amongst the people, 

 and my experience agrees with his. Nothing could speak more favourably 

 than this fact with regard to their chastity. Goitre is unknown. 



Other Races in the Tracts. — The Bhils to the north and west touch 

 upon the Minas and Mhairs, and in some places dwell in villages inhabited 

 by the former, gradually dying out as the plains of Marwar are approach- 

 ed. The Minis, according to historical records, were later possessors of the 

 plains than the Bhils. They still dwell in them, and are perhaps less pure, 

 are more filthy in their habits and more treacherous, and have no very 

 peculiar feature of skull as far as I can learn. They and the Mhairs still 

 act as the Muhammadan historian says of Kutbuddin, " They were always 

 shooting the arrows of deceit from the bow of refractoriness." 

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