WITCH DOCTORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 271, 13 November 1909, Page 18

WITCH DOCTORS.

PLAGUE OF THEM IN AMERICAN CITY. Within the past year. It Is said, at least one thousand babies in Pennsylvania have died, victims of the "witch doctoiß," or, as they axe known, "hex doctors," to whom euperstltlous parents have taken these little ones, believing that they would be cured of riielr ailments. Besides this toll of death among the young, countless men and women have passed away as a result, either of lack of proper medical treatment, or by the nauseating messes given by these illegal practitioners. Now, however, the enlightened portions of the community hare teken the matter In hand, and are preparing tt> stamp out this mediaeval euperetition from its den wltliin one of the, most prosperous sections of the State. Little known to the outside world, this strange survival of some of the most ancltnt beliefs and practices of the Old World ha* for years been steadily gaining ground. The dupes of the witch doctors are Bat, however, only among the ignorant. They have In their ranks many of the middle-class farming folk, and a fair scattering ot professional and cultivated people. The witch doctor guarantees tx> cure every ailment. He Iβ sometimes called npon even to brine 'the dead back to life. His services are particularly valued at childbirth and during the first months of the baby, when It is neeet by the ordinary ailments of that period. It is the habit, whenever a child becomes ill, for neighbours to rush. In, declaring that It has been "verhexed." Then tne nearest wltcli doctor is sought for, and the incantations begin. In six cases out of ten, It has been estimated by the authorities, the child dies under this treatment. This Iβ not only caused, by the doses given by the witch doctors, but In equal proportion bj" the treatment prescribed, and In whloh. ordinary precautions, sanitary and hygienic aids, and the services of a legitimate practitioner hart no part whatever. At the present moment a viporous crusade Is being preaclied against these impostors. The investigations have disclosed tthe fact that almost whole counties firmly believe In the reality of "he.Ting," and protect themselves from Its Influence by the charms and Incantations of the witch doctors. It appears that the practice of the witch doctors is founded on a book of seventy pages, published over ninety years ago by one of the pioneer witch doctors of Eastern Pennsylvania. This book Is almost exclusively used by witch doctors In preparing charms, and in giving advice, for which they charge high prices. The practice of its mysterious formulas is carried on to a large extent even beyond the limits of Pennsylvania, possibly the larger portion of the country east of the Mississippi, and possibly even beyond. INCANTATIONS AND REMEDIES. Here are some of the In captations and remedies which It recommends:— When one is wasting away he can use this:—(lt has helped many.) Let the person boll water In a vessel before sunrise, fasting and undressed; boll an egg In this water, make three small holes in the egg with a needle; then carry it and throw it on an ant hill, which the large ants have made. As the egg rots the patient becomes better. Stroke the person or the animal you would benefit. At each repetition strike him oa the back, viz., the first time, once; the second, twice; the third time, thrice, and set a time for the worms, but not less than three minutes. For slander of witchcraft —Art thou slandered, ox thy head, flesh, limb, send It back home to the false tongues, thus:— •. . . Take off the shirt, and put it on the wrong side out; pat the two thumbs at the pit of the stomach, and carry them around under the ribs as far as the hips. Do this three times carefully and devoutly. Gokkl remedy for a fever—Good morning, dear Thursday; take away from (name) the 77 cover fever! Ah, take it from him! .... This Is to be used first on Thursday, once; on Friday, twice; on Saturday, thrice, and each morning thrice. You must, at the same time, always say the Creed, and speak with no one until sunrise. The patient also must speak with no one, eat no swine's flesh, and drink no milk for nine days,- and during the nine days not pass over running water. Remedy for the colic—l warn you, you gripes! TheTe is one in judgment; He speaks; right »r wrong. Therefore, beware, ye gripes To prevent the barking of a. dog—Whoever wears a dog's heart on his left side no dog will bark at him; they are ail dumb before Mm. To ease a pain—Cut three little sticks. Cut them from one piece. Rub them on the sore, wrap them In a little white paper, and put them In a warm place. To drive away warts—Roaet chickens' feet and rub the warts with them; tbeu bury them under the care*,