Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/329

Rh symbol of animated nature, which they place on a small float on stand made of banana leaf on which he puts the statuetsstatutes [sic] together with some rice, salt, pepper, betel, ceri leaf etc., lighting it with a small taper and then carries it into the street or commons or sets it afloat on the river or canal, leaving it to care for itself. This is done in the hope that the offering may be acceptable to the spirits and that they will dispel the storm that is beating on the sick one. This is called krabon, and if successful the doctor receives a tical and a half. The native doctor has nothing to distinguish him from the common run except a box that he carries under his arm holding about a half bushel of pills, powders and other nostrums.

One mode of treating fevers is by water, medicated drinks and frequent bathing in tepid water, ablutions and fomentations. A common mode is showering the patient, the attendant nurse or a priest blowing the water from his mouth, which falls gently and agreeably upon the sick one like a warm spray. Some of the Siamese remedies are valuable, while others are ridiculous; for instance, the following for "morbitic fever," as given by Bishop Pallegoix: "One portion of rhinoceros' horn, one portion of elephant's tusk, one of tiger's and the same of crocodile's teeth, one of bear's teeth; one portion composed of three parts bones of vulture, raven and goose; one portion of bison and another of stag's horn; one portion of sandal These ingredients to be mixed together on a stone with pure water; one-half the mixture to be swallowed, the rest to be rubbed into the body; after which the fever will leave."

The following is an abstract of a recipe for the