260 Expedition to the 



to it in consequence of eating unripe fruits, such as plums, 

 grapes and maize. They are never known to be subject to 

 the coup de soleil, although they travel for days and even 

 weeks over the unsheltered prairies, without any covering 

 whatever for the head, which is consequently exposed to the 

 full radiance of the sun, both in a state of activity and qui- 

 escence. White men residing with them, and who have par- 

 taken in their hunts, and consequent insolation, have been 

 visited with this distressing affection, although their heads 

 were protected, invariably, by hats or handkerchiefs. 



The cuticle of these Indians is not known to have been 

 acted upon by contact with poisonous plants, though white 

 men, travelling with them, have experienced the effects of 

 the usual deleterious properties of the poison vine frhus 

 radicans), which is, to a certainty, abundant in proper situa- 

 tions in the Missouri country. What effects would result 

 from the application of this plant, to the only part of the 

 body of the Indian, which is never exposed to the direct in- 

 fluence of external causes, is a subject deserving of experi- 

 mental inquiry. 



The hare-lip sometimes occurs, but it may be properly 

 considered as still more rare, than amongst white people. 



Frosted limbs are treated by immersion in cold water, so 

 as gradually to restore the lost temperature of the part. The 

 magi also perform over them their mystic rites, amongst 

 which the only topical application, is made by chewing some 

 roots and blowing the fragments, and accompanying saliva, 

 violently upon the part, with many antic capers. 



Goiture and wens are not known. Fevers, and fever and 

 ague are exceedingly rare. Ophthalmic diseases, and casu- 

 alties affecting the eye, are frequent. The eyes of children 

 are sometimes injured or destroyed, by missiles, in incau- 

 tious play or juvenile rencontres. But blindness is more 

 frequently the effect of the gradual operation of disease. The 

 eyes become sore and the lids inflamed j white opake ma- 



