The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-09-11
THE INDIAN MEDICINE MEN.
ARMY SURGEONS ARE OFTEN AS
ToNISHEp at THEIR CURES.
They Maintain Their Influence over
Tribe by Incantations-SCcnes at
Council.

They Maintain Their Influence over
Tribe by Incantations-Scene at
Council.
The habits and customs of some of the
Western tribes are so little known TO
the general reader that, perhaps de-
scription of some of their curious practices
may be OF some interest. Mr.. Paul Beck
with has published an interesting paper
on the Dakotahs in the last report of the
Smithsonian Institution, and among other
things he remarks that the medicine man
or high priest in invaribly chief, and
although he maintains his sway by the
use of mysteries and incantations, never
theless at times shows power which is
not understood by those outside of the
cult or brotherhood, and through a know
ledge of the medicinal properties of herbs
often performs cures that lead one to be-
lieve ne is not altogether the charlatan
he is represented. His cures are often
the wonder of of the army surgeons.
An incident in point is cited in the case
OF an Indian who one day came stagger-
ing into camp with his leg horribly swol-
len from a bite of venomous snake.
The camp surgeon could do nothing for
the sufferer, but he was completely cured
by the medicine man. Another 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
of his medicine, the medicine man adds
to the efficacy of his remedy mysterious
pantomimes, contortions of the body and
features, always to drum accompani-
ment. If the patient is affected with
serious ailment, he places paper or bark
figure on the ground, and, while the pa
tient is held over it, he fires a gun, by
which act the sickness passes into the i'm
age 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 a spiritual
medicine so powerful that they can kill
at will, resuscitate the dead, and cure the
sick. This spiritual medicine is repre-
sented by anything that strikes the fancy,
as bunch of feathers, a claw, a bird, or
the head of an animal.
When council is held, barricade is
erected in the form of an ellipse, and
tent is raised at each end of the inclosure.
one for the high priests Or medicine men
and the other for ten men who have been
selected to keep order and conduct the
ceremony, acting as sort of police. The
high priest, from his seat in the medicine
tent, appoints four assistants, one bearing
drum, one pillow and stick, one rat
tie, and the last assisting by grunting. A
big drum in the center of the circle is be-
ing constantly beaten by several drum
mers. The high priest then speaks to
them of the holy dance which was founded
centuries ago, and tells them of the power
of the medicine of their ancestors, and
warning skeptics not to scoH at them or
their craft, as they have the power of
thrusting claw or stone through the
body of any one at will, causing instant
death. In proof of this assertion, he calls
one of his assistants to him and points to-
ward him with the medicine bag, at the
same instant putting at him with his lips,
whereupon the assistant falls to the ground
apparently senseless. Then the priest
salaams to the four points of the compass,
and invokes the Great Spirit to aid him
and the other members present in bring
ing the dead brother to life. The drums
are then beaten and frantic dance
is begun, when the lfeless form
gradually returns to consciousness and
spits into his hand mass of froth
and blood. in which is found u
claw or stone. The high priest now
dances around the circle, and waving his
medicine bag, blows upon some one else,
who, in the same manner, fails TO the
ground senselesS. The chief continues,
and the "dcad men, rcviving, assist in
shooting others, until the inclosure is full
of bowling savages dancing, yelling, and
shooting each other. The dancing is
kept up in the most frantic manner. AT
ter a certain length of time the four as
sistants, who have been trotting around
the ring faster and faster, form in line,
and after advancing and retreating sew
eral times, thrust the instruments iNsD
the hands of others who become then
successors and then take seats, and now
represent the Gods of the North, South,
East and West, the high priest represent
ing the Great Spirit, or Wan-kan- tan
he is taken into the council tent for in
structions, which are secret. lie is then
stripped of his clothing, excepting an
apron and moccasins on his feet. lie is
then painted entirely black except a small
red spot between his shoulders. The
candidate is eXhortcd to be good, and is
told that his medicine will be correspond
ingly powerful, and he must also give IA
feast once year. Ii he does not, he
viii meet with misfortmes, sickness,
or death. The candidate now receives
the holy claw or stone The medicine
man, approaching him from the east, de
scribes the course of the sun with the
medicine bag, and bowing to the four
points Of the compass, mutters an incan-
tation, and thrusting the bag toward him
says: "There goes the spirit. The
candidate then falls PROSTATE, and
blankets, skin, ornaments, etc, are
thrown as offerings over the candidate
At command of the high priest the novice
RECEIVERS and is presented with the medi-
cine bag, becoming recognized member
of the order. After these ceremonies the
feast begins, and the food which has been
cooking before the tents of the assistants
is distributed among the people. The
dance lasts from daybreak to daybreak of
the day following and as these dances
are frequently given in winter with the