Page:Popular medicine, customs and superstitions of the Rio Grande, John G. Bourke, 1894.pdf/7

Rh Cross-eyed Men.—There is implicit credence in the superstition that it is an unlucky thing to meet a cross-eyed person, especially on a trail or country-path. "Don't pass him," urged all my informants; "better turn off the trail and go at once to the right; but if you can't help passing him, try not to look at him, and say your prayers." Then the oldest of the party began to recite a prayer which, he said, was appropriate and efficacious. It called on our Saviour, the Blessed Lady, and all the Saints, to save from lightning, tempest, poison, murder, drowning, all sudden death, and all misfortune.

Dandruff.—1. Make a lather from any of the saponaceous roots peculiar to the country—lechuguilla, amole, or pita, but do not use the guyacan (lignum vitæ); it is a good detergent, but burns the skin.

2. Make an infusion of the bulb of the drago: apply locally.

To expedite Delivery.—1. The woman should drink water in which has been dissolved earth from the Church of our Lady of San Juan, a pueblo close to San Luis Potosi. (M. A.)

(I sent a lozenge or cake of this calcareous earth to the U. S. National Museum. It was stamped with the figure of the Blessed Virgin Mary and other sacred symbols.)

2. Take hinojo (fennel) leaves, boil them in hot water, with rose of Castile and brown sugar, one quarter pound. Boil until it looks like red wine. Give a teacupful to the woman, and the child will be born at once. (M. A.)

3. A decoction of "mariguan," made with sweetened water, given in doses of half a teacupful, is of benefit.

4. Give filings of the lodestone in water. (M. A.)

Surgeon H. S. Turrell, United States Army, states that during his tour of service on the Rio Grande, near El Paso, Texas, some years ago, he found that a fomentation or smoking with the "hediondilla" was used with what was claimed to be good results.

Drago.—Bulb used by Mexican Indians, in smoking, to induce ecstatic visions: the leaves also are used.

When dry, the bulb is said to make fine tinder.

The bulb is also used to eradicate dandruff.

Dream Book.—It is a mighty poor family in the Rio Grande valley that do not own and keep for constant consultation, an "oracula," or dream book, in which every possible combination of dream thought has its corresponding prediction.

To cure Dysentery and Diarrhoea.—Take the blue flowers of the "corihuela" (morning-glory), make a tea, sweeten with sugar, and take a cupful every morning. (M. A.)

Sore Eyes.—The tips of mesquite branches, rubbed up in water,