University of Virginia Library

2. A "Medicine Man's" Examination

(from Twin Territories, December 1899)

In early days the Creek "Medicine Man" went through many trials and endured numerous hard-ships in order to become a full fledged doctor. The examination lasted many days and was severe in the extreme. In those days the proposed doctor's chances to pass the examination seemed to depend more upon his physical powers of endurance than upon his ability mentally.

The first step towards becoming a "medicine man" is the young Indian's application to a board of old "medicine men," usually consisting of three, who have successfully passed through the ordeal and who are learned and experienced in their profession.

These old men take entire charge of the young applicant for several days. He is taken by them to their homes where they see that he has careful attention. Meanwhile he must place himself entirely at their disposal and completely under their control and instructions. They sing certain songs to him and otherwise entertain him. Then instructions follow. This consists of teaching the applicant the practical use of certain roots and herbs in curing certain diseases. He is shown the effect of various remedies and is told the secrets known only to medicine men. One of the most important of their instructions is, "never attempt to cure a patient unless your are thoroughly acquainted with his disease."

(All "medicine men" were specialists.)

So far, so good; but the old instructors are not satisfied and thus follows the worst part of the examination--or , what might be a better word, preparation.

After the causes and remedies are learned, the test of manhood, or hardihood, as you may call it, is put. Fasting is the principal feature in this. Four days the young applicant is forced to fast, being allowed only a small quantity of "safky"[1] once a day.

The four days having passed, the ravenous fellow is allowed to eat anything his appetite may demand--for one day--then fasting begins again. Three times this four-day fast is repeated, with the one day of relaxation until the applicant has fasted for in all, sixteen days.

Enough, you say? 'Tis only the beginning for following this is what is termed the "eight-day fast," when the applicant fasts eight successive days, with only safky once a day, as in the preceding test. Only about one in fifty, we are told, has the fortitude and strength to undergo this sixty-four days of fast, but the one who does stand it is forever after looked upon as a man among men.

If the applicant has not given up in despair ere, this, the last test is made, which is so terrible as to be doubted by many.

The wildest part of a forest is selected as the scene of this test. There a grave is dug, about two feet deep, in which the applicant is buried. A reed or piece of cane, saturated with salt water, is placed in his mouth. This extends quite outside of the grave and through it the applicant breathes.

The grave is covered over with leaves and dry brush, and in the dead of night, these are set afire. The salt on the cane prevents it from burning. After the fire, the applicant is resurrected with a great deal of ceremony, and is pronounced by his instructors as being a full-fledged Creek doctor. He is told that it is now in his power to cure such diseases as he has been taught and that he can begin "practicing" at once.

A gun-shot-wound doctor is taught in a different way from this. Their mode of treating a wounded person is to make the patient fast four days after being wounded, the doctor fasting with his patient. After the fasting is over, the doctor and the patient eat the same dishes until the latter is cured.

One interesting fact about the Creek doctor is that he does not harm his patient, and if he doesn't cure him, he generally leaves him where he finds him.