ROCKY MOUNTAIN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. IO5 
tion of identity of race as well as the age of the graves 
and their occupants, will require verification before 
the question can be considered settled. 
Loskiel, in speaking of this disease among the In- 
dians, records the fact that when the Indians joined 
the French against the English in 1676, this disease 
was then first introduced among them, and for a time 
they were very unsuccessful in treating it. But ob- 
serving the methods pursued by the regular surgeons 
of the army, they gradually acquired knowledge so as 
to treat it with success. They alleged, said this au- 
thor, that the disease was introduced by the white 
man, and had never been known among the Indians 
before. H. H. Bancroft states that among the Malma 
people the disease in some of its forms was not un- 
known to the aboriginals of America. Captain Jona- 
than Carver says he was aware the theory was held in 
Europe that syphilis originated in America, but says 
he could not find the least traces of it among the Nau- 
dowessies, with whom he resided so long. He further 
states that he had satisfied himself this disease was 
unknown among the more western nations, and thinks 
that it did not have its origin in America, but says 
the Indian nations who had relations with the Euro- 
peans were afflicted with it. Pitcher, a competent 
medical authority, in speaking of this disease among 
the Indians, states that they have no specific for its 
cure, but that the antagonistic properties of Lobelia 
syphilitica makes it the remedy most relied upon by 
them, though secondary effects are frequently observa- 
ble after its use. The Indians of Utah, Colorado, New 
Mexico, and Arizona use a decoction of different 
