Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-10-07
INDIAN MEDICINE MEN.
Their Importance and Influence
 Among the Dakotahs

An Explanation of Their Wonderful |
 Cures-Bringing the "Dead to Life"-
 Ceremonies Attending the Initial
 ton of |. Neophyte.
 MT. Paul Beckwith has published an in- | teresting paper on the Dakotahs in the re- ports of tho Smithsonian Institution; and among other things he remarks that the medicine-man, or high priest, is invariably chief; and although he maintains his sway by the use of mysteries and incanta- tions, nevertheless at times shows power which is not understood by those outside the cult or brotherhood, and through a knowledge of the medicinal properties of herbs often performs cures that lead one to believe he is not altogether the charlatan he is represented. His cures arc often the wonder of the United States army sur geons.
 An incident in point is cited in the case of an Indian who one day came staggering into camp with his leg horribly swollen from the bite of O venomous snake. The camp surgeon could do nothing for the suf- ferer; but he was completely cured by the medicine-man. Arxther case Is quoted in which a cataract of the eye was cured by inserting brass filings into the affected organ. To impress upon the mind of the patient the divine nature of his medicine, the medicine-man adds to the efficacy of his remedy mysterious panto- mines, contortions of the body and features, always to drum accompaniment. If the patient is affected with serious ailment, he places Q paper or bark figure on the ground, and, while the patient is held over 1t, he fires gun, by which act the sickness passes into the image in the ground and is killed by the discharge of the gun. They claim that all this power is received from the Great: Spirit, who confers upon them spiritual medicine so powerful that they can kill at will, resuscitate the deadoand cure the sick. This spiritual medicine is repre- sented by any thing that strikes the fancy as a bunch of feathers, a claw, a bird, or the; head of an animal. When a council is held, barricade is erected in the form of an ellipse, and a tent | is raised at each end of the inclosure, one, | for the high priests of medicine men and 1 the other for ten men who have been se- l lected to keep order and conduct tho cere-
 mony. The high priest, from his seat in | the medicine-tent, appoints four assistants, one bearing drum, one pillow and stick, one rattle, while the last assists by grunt- l ing. A big drum in the center of the circle | is being constantly beaten by several drum l mers. The high priest then speaks to them of tho holy dance which was founded centu- ries ago and tells them of the power of 1 the medicine of their ancestors, and warn | ing skeptics not to scoff at them or thelr l craft, as they have the power of thrustiag
 claw or stone through the body of any one at | will, causing instant death. In proof Of | this assertion, he calls one of his assist
 ants to him, and points toward him with the | medicine-bag, at the same time pulling at 1 him with his lips, Whereupon the assistant | falls to the ground apparently senseless l Then tho priest salaams to the four points Of
 the compass, and invoSes the Great Spirit
 to aid him and the other members present
 in bringing the dead brother to life. The | drums. are then beaten and frantic dance
 is begun, when the ifeless form gradually | returns to consciousness, and spits into his
 hand a mass of froth and blood, in which is
 found a claw or stone The high priest
 now dances around the circle, and, waving
 his medicine-bag, blows upon some one else, l who in the same manner falls to tue ground
 senseless. The chief continues and the
 "dead man," reviving, assists ln shooting
 others, until the inclosure is full of bowling
 savages dancing, yelling and shooting each
 other.
 | When new member is initiated, he is
 taken into the councll-tent for instructions,
 which are secret. He is then stripped o1
 his clothing, excepting an apron about hls loins and mocassins on his feet. He is then
 painted entirely black, except small red spot between his shoulders. The candidate , is exhorted to be good, and is told ; that his medicine will be correspond ingly powerful, and that he must give a feast once a year. If he does
 not, he will meet with misfortunes. sick mess or death. The candidate now receives the holy claw or stone. The medicine man approaching him from the east, describes l the course of the sun with the medicine l hac hoyyipC n tho fonr pOintS of thf compass, mutters an incantation, anC , l thrusting the bag toward him, says: ''Thert l goes the spirit" The candidate then fall: prostrate, and blankets, skins, ornaments l etc., arc thrown as offerings over the can
 didate. At command of the high priest the novice recovers, and is presented with tht } medicine-bag, becoming a recognized mem ] Der of the order. After these ceremonie! 1 the feast begins, and the food which ha! been cooking before the tent of the assist 7 ants is distributed among the people. Th' dance lasts from daybreak to daybreak O. the day following; and as these dances ar' frequently given in winter with the ther mometer often far below zero, it may easll, be imagined how the candidates must suffer 3 clad as they are in coat of paint. It il
 generally understood that the members 0 3 the order have secret signs and passes, bu
 the penalty of exposure is so sure and swif
 | GQaL none O1 Gue SeCTeGS dTo ever U1Vu1Sou
 There are wellknown instances in whicl l indiscreet members have mysteriously bu permanently disappeared. at the instance \ 1t is supposed, of the medicine-men.
 Good Noses Arc Scarce.
 Of all the features of the human face tn |, l nasal organ, being the most prominent aa stands supreme as a revealer of character :. Its form gives the greatest expression an : individuality to the facial ineaments, an e even the voice is affected and toned by thi < important member The individual whor s nature has blessed with really well-forme :, and perfect nose should indeed be gratefu as on an average barely two per cent. of tn ;, ordinary population can claim to possess 7, perfectly shaped nasal organ.
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