Page:Popular medicine, customs and superstitions of the Rio Grande, John G. Bourke, 1894.pdf/18

136 have shown in "The Laws of Spain in their Application to the American Indians." Salt is also placed on the tongue before taking a drink of mescal.

"Milagros."—The "milagros" hung up in the Mexican churches are, as may be gathered from the text of this article, votive offerings. They are generally made of silver, sometimes of gold, and occasionally of wax, and in the form of a boy, girl, head, hand, foot, leg, heart, horse, cow, donkey, ear of corn, or any other object upon which heaven has sent its blessings in response to the prayers of the suppliant.

In no respect do they differ from the votive offerings which the Romans hung up in their temples in honor of Æsculapius.

Moon-lore.—Never cut timber, wheat, corn, or anything else in the shape of a crop before the full of the moon; it will wither and die.

I found it hard to get any explanation of this, until an old man said that while the moon was growing, sap was always flowing, and that anything cut with the sap still in it could n't give products that would endure.

When the moon is young, don't scrape your nails, you'll make them grow thick: wait for the full moon.

At the time of new moon, there is no ceremonial spitting, jumping, or touching of silver among the Mexican women of the Rio Grande, but it is considered a good practice to recite the "Oracion" (Lord's Prayer). (M. A.)

Maria Antonia called the halo around the moon, "casa de la luna," or moon's house, which is one of the names the Apaches have for it.

Mortuary Ceremonies.—At the Mexican funerals (of adults) which I have attended in the small villages, tiny bows of "crespon" or crape are distributed, which are to be worn above left elbow. Each man lights a candle and marches in procession to the church, where he kneels, still keeping the candle alight.

The women blow out their candles and keep them till the next evening, when they are again lighted and the merits of the deceased rehearsed, but no men are present.

Rockets are frequently used to notify friends on neighboring ranchos when the procession is ready to start.

Cutting Nails and Hair.—Cut your finger-nails every Friday, and you'll not have the toothache. (M. A.)

When you cut your finger-nails or hair, see that the moon is full. Be careful to burn your hair; do not throw it in the path of other people, because it might do them harm. Never, under any circumstances, pick up human hair lying in the road, especially woman's hair.