Page:Popular medicine, customs and superstitions of the Rio Grande, John G. Bourke, 1894.pdf/4

122 Cancer.—To cure cancer (which is quite common along the Rio Grande on account of poor food, filth, want of proper clothing, lack of clean and sufficient bedding, and disregard of every law of hygiene). Get the roots of Yerba Gonzalez, Yerba Cancer, and another (name forgotten, but all three sent to National Museum), make a decoction in nine quarts of water. Boil down to one quart, sweeten with sugar or molasses. Dose, from half teaspoonful to a large tablespoonful, according to severity of disease. Begin treatment with appearance of the new moon. (M. A.)

Cardiac Troubles.—Make a decoction of "Flor de Peña" and drink. (M. A.) (This seems to be a mistaken analogy. The rock flower, if allowed to remain in water over night, expands; hence, it can cause an expansion of the heart, or remove a feeling of oppression from the chest.)

Comets.—Are forerunners of wars and great sicknesses. A white comet means a pestilence; a red comet means war.

When owls hoot at night, or crows caw at midnight, it is a sign that Indians are planning an outbreak. (M. A.)

To aid Conception.—There were many names of herbs given me, but as none of them grow in that part of Mexico, I do not repeat them.

They were all made into a decoction, taken internally, and also used as a bath every eight days, the bath to be followed by a purge. Continue this treatment for forty days, observing continence. Then there is to be another day of rest and bathing. Intercourse will then be followed by conception, but the sex of offspring cannot be surmised, as that is a matter which God generally keeps to himself, said Maria Antonia.

The Yerba Gonzalez also aids conception, but the expectant mother must not fail to present herself in a "novena" before the altar of "Maria Purissima," and hang up a "milagro" (votive offering) of silver, in form of a boy, or a girl, according to her desires. A "novena" can also be made with great advantage to the altar of San Ramon Non-nato, near San Luis Potosi, the "patron" or "abogado" of "parturientes." (M. A.) This Not-Born Saint Ramon derives his title from having been brought into the world by the Caesarian operation, as his mother was dying of the Plague.

To reduce Swollen Breasts.—Take the tecalote stone (i. e., the stone of the metate, or corn-meal grinder), warm it in the sun, and with it gently rub the inflamed nipples. (M. A.)

Pestles and rubbing stones, such as the tecalote, have had phallic significance attached to them in various parts of the earth, but I do not feel that the evidence of such symbolism is very strong in the present case.