ROCKY MOUNTAIN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 9 1 
thigh when alone in the woods, and replaced it by 
fastening one end of a strap to the nearest tree and 
the other to his dislocated limb, and then forcing him- 
self away from the tree by the uninjured leg in such a 
manner as to make traction and replace the dislocated 
joint. 
The Indian physicians were aware of the assistance 
gained by securing muscular relaxation in replacing 
dislocated limbs.* Fractures, according to the state- 
ments of Dr. Zina Pitcher, Father Charlevoix, and 
Loskiel, were treated by placing the injured limb in 
splints made of birch or other bark, carefully fitted to 
the part, and fastened by bark bandages, so as to keep 
the bones in their position. Ross Cox, in his Adven- 
tures on the Colorado River, page 125, says the 
Flathead Indians treat fractures by bandages and 
pieces of wood like staves placed longitudinally around 
the part, to which they are secured by leather thongs." 
I find no mention of any means used by them for exten- 
sion or counter-extension in fractures. Of course, 
shortening of limbs must have occurred in certain 
cases for want of such treatment. 
The testimony is general that but few deformed or 
crippled Indians were to be seen. These Indians cure 
rheumatism by cold baths, which they use in con- 
junction with the steam-bath, often breaking the ice 
to plunge into the cold water. Bancroft states that 
the Haidah Indians of the Pacific Coast, to arrest 
hemorrhages from bites or wounds, use eagle-down to 
Loskiel, p. 112. Hunter, p. 397, says they were acquainted with 
the advantage of relaxing the muscles in dislocations, and gave medi- 
cine to produce nausea for this purpose. 
