The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-01-13
9Mistellaltlep,tils. q,
in New Orleans.

1t would be matter OF surprise to many
Of our readers, who confine themselves to
the society of the we'll informed and intel.
ligent, to learn by actual experience to
what an extent the Voudou superstition is
believed in by large class Of our popula-
ton. This Fetishism OF serpent worship
exercises its baneful influence not only over
the colored population, but every day fur
nishes evidence that it finds numerous su-
perstitious followers in the foreign popnla-
tion of our city. Witchcraft has not yet
died out, and incantations, the worship Of
devils, and the mummery and magic OF two
hundred years ago still here in our midst
hold their actual sway.
A short time since we had the opportu.
pity afforded US, in company with medical
friend, of visiting two patients who had un-
dergone the Voudou treatment. The first
was an Italian woman, whom we found oc-
cupying room hung with pictures OF the
saints and apostles Her general appear
anee was ghastly and cadaverous. There
was fixed look of terror in her eyes, and
an irresolute movement about her hands
and arms Her face was hopeless and mel
ancholy, and altogether her appearance left
the impression that her mind had been af-
fected. A year ago she stated that she en-
loved remarkable health. At that time she
had violent quarrel with neighbor. 1t
was to her malignant influence that she at
tributed the loss OF her health, but could
find no immediate reason for thinking SO
beyond the discovery Of bundle of parti
colored rags, chicken. claws. &c, hid away
in her pillow. She became subject to faint
ing fits and spasms. The usual remedies
had been applied but failed in affording any
relief. A colored doctor was called in who
applied some substance to her head which
SO matted the hair that it was ever after
ward impossible to be combed. The faint.
ing fits had left her. she stated after the APP
plication of the remedy, but her constitu-
ton, from whatever cause, was evidently
affected for life The other case was that
of a Spanish girl, who was subject TO- the
attacks of the same nature. Several ply
sicians had been Called in, in the early sta
ges of her sickness (among whom was the
doctor who accompanied u.s. none of whom
could afford her any relief or 80 much Gs to
produce sleep. .g 4t
BY some means, or ut somebody's sugges-
tion, a Voudor doctor was introduced, who
declared that the girl would never recover
so long as she remained with her mother.
1t was necessary that she should go away
that she should live at the house Of male
relative-a man who inspired her with hor-
ror, and whom she had never been, hither-
to, willing TO see. She did as she was d.
rected, and had most Of the time since lived
with him. The only apparent remedy EN-.
ployed was to sprinkle the yard adjoining
the house with awhile powder Her sick
ness, meanwhile, had left her, Once or
twice she had gone back to her mothers,
but disease had soon compelled her to re.
turn.
Her conversation awakened many obyi-
Gus suspicious, but we were credibly in
formed that there was no question whatev-
er about her former dangerous illness.
Before we>left, the negro medicine man
or !" devil "twho attended her, made his ap-
pearance. We once or twice endeavored
to increase our information by questions
addressed to him, but were not remarkably
successful Africa was the land Of his ma.
tiyity, he stated but he had been here since
1928. He practiced his profession as ithad
been taught himrin his native land. His
treatment was entirely with herbs and sim.
Piles. He put nl a modest denial as to the
use of any magic rites peculiar to his race,
but declined imparting any hints as to what
his sexactremedies were. Dressed in a suit Of
black, with heavy gold chain hanging from
his neck, his appearance was sufficiently re-
spyctable. Save for decidedly foreign ac-
cent, the appearance of tattoo marks still
upon his face, and a cat-like, watchful ex-
preston Of countenance, his appearance
was in no respect out OF the usual way
I NeW Orleans Star.