Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-23
Ancient knowledge
Of Roots. Leaves and
Borks u S e d by the
"Brujos." Which May
Well Be Worth the
Study Of M o d e IN
Medical Science


her lips against my forehead for n moment
Rub your forehead with your hand, Senior,
then look"
/ did So using a handkerchief. 1t came
away splashed with red and l recognized 1t
at once as the red achote seed dye that
both the males and females Of this strange
tribe cover their bodies with, and with which
the backs of the girls hands are stained.
That jaiya-huasca has scientific value is
hard to doubt, but the hows, where's and
whens Of making use Of it for the benefit OF
mankind must come out Of the laboratory.
The Indians Of Ecuador's jungles are often
subject TO the mouth disease, called up your
way pyorrhea, due to faulty diet at certain
seasons. Their Brujos cure this with an
other plant drug. As matter Of fact, the
Brujos claim that with this drug new teeth
can he grown. The truth is that now teeth
are not grown at all but teeth that have
been loosened UP by diseases Of tho gums
become firm again almost over night and
pink toothbrush"-as if an Indian ever saw
a toothbrush disappears like magic under
the treatment OF this drug.
AS result OF it, though tooth and gum
diseases are common in regions where one
can obtain certain necessary foods only when
they are in season, no native Of the region
suffers for longer than it takes him 20 obtain
n supply Of "Kura" 10 treat these ailments.
Kura by tho way is not the right name,
not even the Indian name. for this plant drug.
It is frankly an invented name Of Doc Mac
Intyre's choosing. have seen the connection
when ready 10 use and l have frequently seen
victims of pyorrhea-before and after
If proof Of the pudding is any indication
Of the drugs value, then il certainly has
something on the ball.
This odd plant drug also cures toothache
and secms 10 prevent tooth decay One of
these days you'll probably be able TO buy 1t
under some fancy trade name at the corner
drug store
Then there is the case Of the woman mis-
sonary who was working among the Indians
Of the Orente trying without much success
TO convert them TO her particular brand OF
religion and induce them TO bundle up in more
clothes for the sake of modcsty and Incl,
dentally starting a wave Of head and chest
colds, even pneumonia, among those who
listened 90 her
Indians go in the water frequently and
since they do not have any change OF clothing
they must let the wet clothes dry on them
If they are going to observe the rules per-
tanning 20 so-called civilizations modesty. The
result of this is snfles worse.
Unfortunately the wellmeaning mission
aries fail TO supply change Of wardrobe
when they insist that healthy bodies must be
hidden
Well this woman developed bad case OF
rheumatism probably by following her own
advice on the clothing question, and before
long she was subject 10 severe neufitis with
shooting pains IN her back and limbs For
all her tall, about Peace Earth. Good
VIII Towards Man and If the Indians could
see and read the daily papers that one
wouldn't hold much water with them this
woman was regarded as a pretty decent sort
and even the Brulo OF the tribe, though ridi-
cung her talk Of the white mans religion
was inclined TO believe that she meant well"
though he was anxious 20 get her out of the
region before she turned too many minds
So he called on the missionary, leaving
off his regalia that she scoffed at, and sug-
gested that perhaps she should return 20 the
highlands where it was drior at least until
she recovered from her aches and rheumatic
pains The intrepid woman had 10 agree that
this was first rate suggestion, but IT devel-
oped that she simply could not stand the long
canoe trip and subsequent mule ride that
would take her out of the jungle and into the
comparatively dry highlands.
The Brujo was ready for this one and
handed the invalid n bamboo vial containing
an evil smelling, reddish liquid.
Take a drink Of this" he suggested
twice a day and youll be O. K.-no more
pain"
Well you know that old one about a
drowning man grasping at straw, and
guess the rheumatic pains Of the missionary
were severe enough to induce her 10 try any
thing at least just once. So she drank some
of the stuff tried il again and after three
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