198 
CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
(1) Neither the fangs nor the poison glands of the snakes 
used in the dances are removed. 
(2) The Indians are occasionally bitten during the dances. 
One Indian priest was bitten in the face last August at Walpi. 
They are occasionally bitten at other times. 
(3) There appears to be no natural immunity among the 
Indians to rattlesnake venom. 
(4) An antidote is prepared by boiling the leaves and stems 
of some plant the nature of which is kept secret. The secret 
is known to only one person in the tribe, and when his death 
becomes imminent is handed down to another. The liquid is 
slightly turpid, of a pale amber color, and without odor. It is 
acid, and has a slightly bitter taste. 
One Indian said that the plant is boiled in water ten minutes, 
another said half an hour, and another reported two or three 
hours. Many of the Indians are said to have this remedy con¬ 
stantly on hand, and it is said to be effective for two or three 
months after being prepared. The usual procedures are 
adopted in cases of rattlesnake bites: that is, the application 
of a tourniquet when possible, and lancing the wound. After 
this, the wound is moistened with the antidote, which is also 
taken internally, dose taken equivalent to approximately 50 
cubic centimeters.” 
