The Mide'wiwin or "Grand Medicine Society" of the Ojibwa Part 8

Outer bark powdered and crushed and taken internally for the cure of diarrhea. Usually mixed with other plants not named.

_Larix Americana_, Michx. Tamarack. Mosh'kikiwa'dik.

1. Crushed leaves and bark used as Pinus strobus.

2. Gum used in mending boats.

3. Bark used for covering wig'iwams.

_Cupressus thyoides_, L. White Cedar. Gi'zhik-- "Day."

1. Leaves crushed and used as Pinus strobus. The greater the variety of leaves of coniferae the better. The spines of the leaves exert their p.r.i.c.kly influence through the vapor upon the demons possessing the patient's body.

2. The timber in various forms is used in the construction of canoe and lodge frames, the bark being frequently employed in roofing habitations.

_Juniperus Virginiana_, L. Red Cedar. Muskwa'wa'ak.

Bruised leaves and berries are used internally to remove headache.

_Quercus alba_, L. White Oak. Mitig'omish'.

1. The bark of the root and the inner bark sc.r.a.ped from the trunk is boiled and the decoction used internally for diarrhea.

2. Acorns eaten raw by children, and boiled or dried by adults.

_Quercus rubra_, L. Red Oak. Wisug'emitig'omish'-- "Bitter Acorn Tree."

Has been used as a subst.i.tute for Q. alba.

_Acer saccharinum_, w.a.n.g. Sugar Maple. Innina'tik.

1. Decoction of the inner bark is used for diarrhea.

2. The sap boiled in making sirup and sugar.

3. The wood valued for making arrow shafts.

_Acer nigrum_, Michx. Black Sugar Maple. Ishig'omeaush'-- "Sap-flows-fast."

Arbor liquore abundans, ex quo liquor tanquam urina vehementer projicitur.

Sometimes used as the preceding.

_Betula excelsa_, Ait. Yellow Birch. Wi'umis'sik.

The inner bark is sc.r.a.ped off, mixed with that of the Acer saccharinum, and the decoction taken as a diuretic.

_Betula papyracea_, Ait. White Birch. Migwas'.

Highly esteemed, and employed for making records, canoes, syrup-pans, mokoks'--or sugar boxes--etc. The record of the Mide'wiwin, given by Minabo'zho, was drawn upon this kind of bark.

_Populus monilifera_, Ait. Cottonwood. Ma'nasa'ti.

The cotton down is applied to open sores as an absorbent.

_Populus balsamifera_, L. Balsam Poplar. Asa'di.

1. The bark is peeled from the branches and the gum collected and eaten.

2. Poles are used in building ordinary shelter lodges, and particularly for the Mide'wigan.

_Juglans nigra_, L. Black Walnut. Paga'nok-- "Nut wood."

Walnuts are highly prized; the green rind of the unripe fruit is sometimes employed in staining or dyeing.

_Smilacina racemosa_, Desf. False Spikenard. Kine'wigwoshk-- "Snake weed or Snake Vine."

1. Warm decoction of leaves used by lying-in women.

2. The roots are placed upon a red-hot stone, the patient, with a blanket thrown over his head, inhaling the fumes, to relieve headache.

3. Fresh leaves are crushed and applied to cuts to stop bleeding.

_Helianthus occidentalis_, Riddell. Sunflower. Pukite'wukbokuns'.

The crushed root is applied to bruises and contusions.

_Polygala senega_, L. Seneca Snakeroot. Winis'sikens'.

1. A decoction of the roots is used for colds and cough.

2. An infusion of the leaves is given for sore throat; also to destroy water-bugs that have been swallowed.

_Rubus occidentalis_, L. Black Raspberry. Makade'wiskwi'minok-- "Black Blood Berry."

A decoction made of the crushed roots is taken to relieve pains in the stomach.

_Rubus strigosus_, Michx. Wild Red Raspberry. Miskwi'minok'-- "Blood Berry."

The roots are sometimes used as a subst.i.tute for the preceding.

_Gaylussacia resinosa_, Torr. and Gr. Huckleberry. Mi'nun.

Forms one of the chief articles of trade during the summer. The berry occupies a conspicuous place in the myth of the "Road of the Dead," referred to in connection with the "Ghost Society."

_Prunus Virginiana_, L. Choke Cherry. Sisan'wewi'nakansh'.

1. The branchlets are used for making an ordinary drink; used also during gestation.