Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-07-14
THE KANoRA NosEMAKeRs.
Hindoos That Mend the Noses Of Their
Opium Eating Countrymen-

Hindoos That Mend the Noses Of Their
Opium Eating Countrymen-
A correspondent Of the Allahabad Pho
neer gives an account Of thu Kangairas,
a people who have long enjoyed a repu-
tation as nosemakers. They live chiefly
in Kangra, a small hill canton in the
Punjaub. Altogether there are fourteen
families remaining. out of which only
two individuals are practical nosemakers.
Their reputation still remains. People
come TO them from the remole5t parts of
the Punjaub, and even Afghanistan.
actuated by the sole desire Of having
their facial promontory repaired or re-
newed. The Kangra nosemakers con-
slider their art as one specially granted to
them by the great Bajreshivu Devi Of
the place. They therefore perform the
operation in strict secrecy. The writer
says:
"It was only with great difficulty that
procured the following information re-
specting the modus operandi Of this plas-
tic operation for restoration Of nose from
an old bald and habitual opium eater.
My friend thinks nothing Of daily con-
suming forty-five grains Of opium, and
whenever he can afford, just to keep
aglow the sunshine Of his mind, adds
considerable amount of bhang and charus
(Capabis lndica, leaves and exuact) and
arsenic, They say the bald is well versed
in the science Of physic and astrology,
besides having a denfzen Of the other
world al his beck and call, by whose as
sistance he is able to open the gates Of
the unseen. When sent for TO advise on
difficult cases, he never fails, before
going. 10 summon and consult his ghostly
servitor as TO the prognosis Of the disease
he is called to cure. In the event Of an
unfavorable prognosis. he declines to at
tend, but furnishes his would be patient
with the exact date and hour of his de-
mise.
The old bald. ii seems was a kind Of
family doctor or professor of medicine TO
one OF the nose makers. and in this ca
pacity has more than once witnessed the
operation OF nose restoration. he there
fore considers himself in possession Of
the secret, II secret il is. His narrative
ran thus: After drugging their patient
with some narcotic, the Kangairas forth
with proceeded to paint the forehead
with medicated lotion as a preliminary
step. On asking the composition Of this
lotion. the only answer vouchsafed was a
grave shake Of the head. The next step
is to cut a piece Of leather to the shape
and size of the required nose. This Icing
done, II is placed on the forehead and
used 10 mark out the lines of incision.
Then they beat the forehead with an old
slipper until the part marked out be-
comes swollen and prominent. Zinc
tubes, with a plate between them to
serve the purpose of septum nasi. are
then lodged in the nostrils. The next
proceeding is 70 dissect a flap of the
swollen flesh with a razor, leaving the
lower part attached 10 The forehead. In
doing tins they take vein with Zap,
the name and position OF which is pro-
found secret known only 10 himself and
the nose makers. The success Of the
operation depends entirely on the rre-
servation and careful dissection Of this
secret vein. The next step was TO turn
up the dap with the secret vein partic-
ular way over the tubes. This being ac-
complished. the other parts Of the nose
are pared and fastened 10 it with silk lig-
ature, and the whole thing Is brought TO
an end by the application OF a special
ointment
"For several days, until the wound is
healed. the patient must keep a recum-
bent position. On union taking place,
the piece which was left attached to the
forehead is severed. and the patient
comes forth with a new born nose.
ought TO have mentioned that the re-
moval Of the zinc tubes Is effected as
soon as convenient Thus ended the mar
rative of the medical adviser to the nose
makers.
1T only remains now 10 inquire how
far their work is successful and II their
skin be on par with their reputation.
That they have many opportunities Of
exercising their profession IL beyond
question The wearing OF baloo or nath
tnose ring) by the married women and
girls TO distinguish them from widows Is
a source Of injury to the left ala nasi.
This is specially the case with the hill
women Of Kangra, whose rings are far
heavier than those OF women dwelling in
tho plains; consequently one often secs
the left ala nasi completely split open.
giving a more than slight Disagreement
and preventing the Distinguishing mark
from being kept up. Many OF these
women make use OF the nose makers;
but, as far as my observation goes. and |
have had many opportunities OF seeing
their work, | have never seen a satisiac-
tory result On the oonuay. hsve
known many cases wher. tho operation
has simply left the woman In worse
plight than before. "-St. james Gazette