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Show INDIAN TREATMENT OF 3ICK. Superstitious Ceremony That Is Ofien a Last Resort. In answer to Inquiries as to the-meanln&,ot the-meanln&,ot the word It was explained that a pachofsha Is a feast and a part of tho .IncanUtlou and superstitious ceremony conducted over the sick by tho lower class of lsnorant Indians. When a man Is thought to be sick enough to require the scrvlcos of a doctor he is put Into a hut, and Tor three days no one except the doctor sees him. Tho doctor goes Into tho woods and gathers herbs, from whlcfl he prepares a potion for the sick man and then keeps a lonely vigil with him. At tho end of tho third day, If the pa-tic-it Is not Improved, the order Is given giv-en to prepare a pachofsha. Corn and meat, either beef, pork or game, are put In a largo kettle and stewed until the corn Is soft. All tho relatives ot the sick man aru entitled to jtend, and thoy gather around' the kettle for the feast. Tho sick man Is brought out and serveJ first. He Is fed bb much as his st"-. ach can hold, and the others then turn In and devour the remainder of the stow When this Is concluded a bonfire bon-fire Is built and lighted, and tho crowd circles around and danecs to the tune of a welrl chant. After this, If tho sick man mjJs not show signs of getting get-ting better", nothing more Is done foi him, and he dies or gets well by act of Providence. Oklahoma Times Journal. |