374 



ACCOUNT OF THE INDIANS. 



but must, also, partake of her puppies, and drink 

 of the broth in which they were boiled ; and by 

 this means, she gains, as is supposed, all the knowl- 

 edge requisite to the practice of this difficult art. 



The Indian physicians never fail of' leaving in 

 the place where they collect the roots, herbs, &c. 

 which they use as medicines, some trifling article, 

 as a recompense to the guardian spirits, that pre- 

 side over these substances, for what they have 

 taken. An omission of this would, in their appre- 

 hension, destroy most, if not all the efficacy of 

 their medicines. 



The Natives, in general, are very credulous 

 and superstitious. They believe that many of 

 their own medicines, when properly applied, will 

 effect almost any thing. They think, however, 

 that we possess some, which, for certain purposes, 

 are much more efficacious than their own. All 

 Indians are very desirous of having a numerous 

 offspring ; and, therefore, those, whose wives are 

 barren, will frequently apply to us for such a med- 

 icine as will cause them to become the mothers of 

 children.— The young women, also, make use of a 

 certain powder, of their own composition, for the 

 purpose of engaging or increasing the affections of 

 their favourites, for them. By throwing this even 

 upon a stranger, who is passing, they believe, it 

 will cause him to be in love with them. In a 



