Show indian medicinal ideas the indian ideas about linie medicine dicine are so BO widely different from those attached to tle the same expression by the whites that it is necessary to explain the matter As all diseases are supposed by them to be not a disturbance of natural actions of tho the body but the effects produced by tho the presence of an evil spirit or several of them in the human economy consequently the remedy consists of something thin that will drive out the demons and this can only be through the agency of spirits opposed to those already in possession the term medicine consequently means mean something possessing in itself a spirit of the right sort to oust the malignant powers A remedy as wo we understand it cannot bo be conceived by the savage lie he lias has no word having any such significance in his vocabulary like all savages the indian believes that the entire universe is filled with powers individuals who arlie are more or less human in character and swayed by motives similar to those which move ordinary humanity everything ani mate or inanimate has its own in individual dividu al spirit or elemental which survives long after tho the original lias has disappeared hence the warrior is buried with bla arms for use in the future state of existence the friendly powers of the earth and air are bound to do him good by reason of their original nature but those which are able to di d him harra harm are arc flattered and placated in every way he can think will servo serve the purpose the th malignant powers are supposed to be moved by all the human passions and some of them are thought to be easily frightened others may bo be cajoled while some aro are extremely revengeful and hardly to be influenced by man globe democrat |