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Show 2 2 6 THE MIDfi'WIWIN OF THE OJIBWA. toward the candidate's joints, in accordance with a belief entertained by some priests and referred to in connection with the Red Lake chart presented on PL in. The second, third, and fourth degrees are practically mere repetitions of the first, and the slight differences between them are noted under their respective captions. In addition to a recapitulation of the secrets pertaining to the therapeutics of the Mide', a few additional magic remedies are taught the candidate in his preparatory instruction. The chief of these are described below. Ma- kwa' wi- i- sop, " Bear's Gall," and Pi'- zhi- ki wi'- i- s5p, " Ox Gall," are both taken from the freshly killed animal and hung up to dry. It is powdered as required, and a small- pinch of it is dissolved in water, a few drops of which are dropped into the ear of a patient suffering from earache. Gd'- gi- mish ( gen. et sp. ?).- A plant, described by the preceptor as being about 2 feet in height, having black bark and clusters of small red flowers. 1. The bark is scraped from the stalk, crushed and dried. When it is to be used the powder is put into a small bag of cloth and soaked in hot water to extract the virtue. It is used to expel evil man'idos which cause obstinate coughs, and is also administered to consumptives. The quantity of bark derived from eight stems, each 10 inches long, makes a large dose. When a Mide' gives this medicine to a patient, he fills his pipe and smokes, and before the tobacco is all consumed the patient vomits. 2. The root of this plant mixed with the following is used to produce paralysis of the mouth. In consequence of the power it possesses it is believed to be under the special protection of the Mide' Man ido, i. e., Ki'tshi Man'ido. The compound is employed also to counteract the evil intentions, conjurations, or other charms of so- called bad Mide', WabSno', and Jes'sakkid'. Triii- b$'- g6p-" Ghost Leaf." After the cuticle is removed from the roots the thick under- bark is crushed into a powder. It is mixed witn Go gimish. Dzhi- bai'- e- m5k'- ke- zm -" Ghost Moccasin;" " Puff- ball." The spore- dust of the ball is carefully reserved to add to the above mixture. O- kwe'- mish-" Bitter Black Cherry." The inner bark of branches dried and crushed is also added. NS'- we"-" Rattlesnake" ( Crotalus durissm, L.). The reptile is crushed and the blood collected, dried, and used in a pulverulent form. After partially crushing the body it is hung up and the drippings collected and dried. Other snakes may be employed as a substitute. It is impossible to state the nature of the plants mentioned in the above compound, as they are not indigenous to the vicinity of White Earth, Minnesota, but are procured from Indians living in the eastern extremity of the State and in Wisconsin. Poisonous plants are of rare occurrence in this latitude, and if any actual poisonous properties exist in the mixture they may be introduced by the Indian himself, as strychnia is frequently to be purchased at almost any of the stores, to be used in the extermination of noxious animals. Admitting that crotalus venom may be present, the introduction into the human circulation of this substance would without doubt produce death and not paralysis of the facial muscles, and if taken into the stomach it quickly undergoes chemical change when brought in contact with the gastric juice, as is well known |
