53 
Smoke from the burning roots inhaled for bad dreams, influenza, 
and rheumatism (a remedy avoided by medicine men, lest it destroy 
their magical power). Hoots themselves considered poisonous. 
Leaves used to sit or lie on when taking a sweat bath for rheuma- 
tism; also spread over the afflicted parts. 
Calla palustris L., Water Arum 
Gitksan: Roots well boiled and the decoction taken internally for 
cleaning the eyes of the blind, for hemorrhage, for short breath, and 
influenza. 
LILIACEAE, LILY FAMILY 
Clintonia uniflora Kunth., Queens Cup 
Bella Coola: Boiled and used to wash the body. One leaf toasted 
and applied as a poultice to eyes or wounds. 
Southern Carrier: Not used. 
Gitksan : Not used. 
Smilacina racemosa L., False Solomon’s Seal 
Bella Coola: Not used. 
Southern Carrier: Not used. 
Gitksan: Roots boiled and decoction taken internally as a very 
strong medicine for rheumatism, sore back, and kidney trouble. 
A purgative. Bark and leaves useless. Roots mashed and bound on 
cuts. 
Veratrum viride Ait., False Hellebore 
Bella Coola: Small bulbs or scrapings of large bulbs, boiled, and 
one cupful or less of the decoction, according to the strength of the 
patient, taken internally for chronic cough, gonorrhoea, constipation, 
pain in the stomach, and many illnesses. Two or three cupfuls acted as 
an emetic. Said to be poisonous if eaten raw. 
Small pieces of the raw root swallowed with a little cold water as 
an emetic for pains in the stomach. More water taken if all the 
pieces not vomited. Overdose considered fatal. 
See also scrub pine (page 48). 
Southern Carrier: Entire roots dried in the sun, and powdered by 
rubbing on a stone. About a dessertspoonful of the powder taken in 
hot water as an emetic for sickness. Too strong a decoction con- 
sidered fatal. 1 
SALICACEAE, WILLOW FAMILY 
Salix lasiandra Benth., Willow 
Bella Coola: Six sticks about a foot long charred, and pulverized 
on a stone. A teaspoonful of the powder taken in a cupful of cold 
water for diarrhoea. Said to effect a cure in two or three hours. 
A piece of the inner bark folded once and the folded edge inserted 
into a knife cut; other edges then separated and flattened down, and 
the wound covered with eagle down. Thought to make the pus 
come out. Same process used to heal incisions in the abdomen made 
by those who tried to cure pain in the stomach. 
Southern Carrier: Not used. 
Gitksan: Not used. 
1 The late Dr. C. F. Newcombe informed the writer that this plant seema to be used 
by every tribe in whose territory it grows. 
