The Aborigines of Brazil. 337 



caused by a poisonous animal or by a poisoned weapon, the 

 doctor often takes a piece of the tobacco plant or of a siala- 

 gogue root, as of one of the peppers, &c. into his mouth, 

 to chew, and to protect him from the chance of harm. He 

 spits out what he has sucked with great gravity on the floor, 

 and then rubs it with his foot. But he often also makes 

 use of this application over painful spots, even if there be no 

 wound. He frequently spits out cockchafers, worms, and 

 thorns, shews them to his patient, and assures him that he 

 must get well, now that the cause of his complaint is re- 

 moved. 



General Management and Care, 

 In this respect their practice resembles much the homoeo- 

 pathic. The most rigid fasting is ordered. Seclusion from 

 light and air, and complete silence are enjoined. The patient 

 usually lies motionless, and does not by any sound betray his 

 sufferings, however acute they may be. The doctor, who 

 in severe cases, seldom quits the patient's side, often goes 

 through a great many operations, which to the eye of the 

 European appear only as deception and juggling, but to which 

 both the patient and the family ascribe a deeper meaning, 

 than meets the eye. The most common operation, to which 

 a patient is subjected for an internal complaint, is that of 

 shampooing, not only the part affected, but the whole body. 

 This process is performed by the Paje with great persever- 

 ance, and in the most complete silence. The doctor is often 

 covered with perspiration, and takes food from time to time, 

 to recruit his strength. But this forcible mode of cure often 

 causes the patient intense pain, which he bears in silence. 

 The Paje usually commences with the affected part, and goes 

 on to press the extremities up and down, and generally pro- 

 duces profuse perspiration, at times vomiting and purging 

 also. When the process is finished, the patient is allowed 

 some drink, and left to sleep for several hours. I have seen 

 this treatment employed in several cases of snake-bites 3 and 



