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HEALTH MEASURES
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46 BUREAU OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [BULL. 86 was a " spirit turtle." He sent this turtle to search for lost persons or articles, and its return was made known to the persons in the darkened tipi by a heavy sound as of a large body striking the ground. After various demonstrations of a mesmeric or hypnotic character he would call for a light, and it would be found that he was free from his bonds, the thongs frequently being entangled in the highest poles. The djasakid were accustomed to swallow and regurgitate short sections of tubular bones as part of their treatment of the sick. In September, 1917, at Pine Point, on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota, the writer talked with a woman who had been treated for quinzy sore throat by one of these men, the treatment being of recent occurrence. She said the "doctor" first related the story o'f his dream, as his authority for the treatment he was about to administer . He then requested that the room be darkened in order that he might" see what was the matter with her." After singing for a time and shaking his "medicine rattle" he said that the cause and cure of the illness had become apparent to him. Small sections of tube-like bones were swallowed and regurgitated according to the custom of the djasakid. He then placed one of these bones against her congested throat and blew through it repeatedly and with such violence that the congestion" broke internally," the poisonous matter issuing freely from her mouth. This relieved her distress and she recovered rapidly. In this connection it is interesting to note that a djasakid commands that there be absolute silence during his swallowing and regurgitating of the bones, even insisting that children and dogs be kept away from the place where he is performing. Mr. Henry Selkirk, of White Earth, stated that he once saw a djasakid in a violent fit of choking which was caused by an unexpected noise when he was regurgitating the bones. He fell forward with his face on the ground and was revived with considerable difficulty. A man who treats the sick by this method frequently wears one of the bones attached to his hat, with the feather of an eagle or hawk in it. This is worn as an evidence or badge of his profession. Odinigun (pI. 21) is wearing a long string of these bones, indicating that he is a djasakid of unusual proficiency. HEALTH MEASURES The following data collected from many individuals should be understood as representing the best ideals of the tribe rather than the practice of each individual or family: Cedar boughs were frequently burned in a lodge to purify the air, l>E:>SMOREJ CHIPPEWA OtJS'l'OMS 47 Sage was burned in a lodge during a contagious illness. It was also used to fumigate the head and hands of those who had cleansed the dead. Bedding was aired daily in summer and spread on the snow in winter. )Voven bags, when soiled, were brushed, pounded, and turned the other side. out. Damp clothing was dried over the fire. It was said that the smoke had a healthful effect and prevented vermin. Bathing in a lake or river was frequent, and the hair was thoroughly washed. A small sweat lodge was often built in a corner of the living lodge for use during the winter. Stiff brushes were used in washing the hands and in scouring kettles. These brushes were identified as E qwisetwm hyernale L. Travelers did not drink water if uncertain of its purity. The usual custom was to boil the water and put in twigs or leaves of plants or trees known to be healthful. The decoction was drunk hot or allowed to cool. The space of hard ground between the fire and the mats in a lodge was swept clean, the sweepings being put in the fire. The Canadian Chippewa made brooms of ash, the entire broom being made of one piece with narrow strips of wood turned back and tied to form the brush. Refuse that could not be eaten by the dogs was burned. Lye for household use was made from hardwood ashes. The directions were: "Boil the ashes, let them stand, strain them out, and use the water." A specimen of this was obtained and found to soften water in an acceptable manner. For washing dishes they "took the lye down to the beach, put it in...