the appreciation of Roots & Herbs or other
Medecine proves ineffectual to restore, it
is common for their Friends to collect
and dressing two Men with Masks &c
in the Manner described at times of
Public Worship, they repair to the Ha
bitation, which they go round rattling &
Rubbing the Tortoise Shells & whoping
in a frightful manner- this altho' it
is a known Custom & in time of Health does
not alarm them, yet has considerable af
fect on the Debilitated Indian whose
fears being thus previously awakened by
knowing what is to be endured. the men
enter the House continuing the noise &
acting every Wild Contortion & Maneuvre
which their Imagination Devise- some
times they pull the sick Person, whe
ther Male or female, about the Room
dirtying them with their black Hands
&rubbing their Heads & Bodies over
with ashes & handling in such a
manner that a Person unacquainted
with their Custom would almost
suppose they were going to kill the
Patient-- after this Wild treatment of