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How they Treat Their Sick

They build a bench long enough and wide enough for the sick person, and he is laid upon it, either on his back or on his stomach. This depends upon the nature of his illness. Then, cutting the skin of his forehead with a sharp shell, they suck the blood with their own mouths, spitting it out into an earthen jar or a gourd. Women who are nursing or are pregnant come and drink this blood, especially if it is that of a strong young man. They believe that drinking it makes their milk better and their children stronger, healthier, and more active.

For the sick, whom they lay face downward, a fire of hot coals is prepared, onto which seeds are thrown. The sick man inhales the smoke through his nose and mouth; this is to act as a purge, expelling the poison from the body and thus curing the disease.

They also have a plant which the Brazilians call petum and the Spaniards tapaco. After carefully drying its leaves, they put them in the bowl of a pipe. They light the pipe, and, holding its other end in their mouths and noses; by this means they often cure infections.

Venereal disease is common among them, and they have several natural remedies for it.

Monday, 15-May-95 14:17:42 PDT